APAD: This precious stone set in the silver sea

Background:

   In John of Gaunt's dying speech in Shakespeare's Richard II he appears to

   rhapsodise over the many qualities of England - `this other Eden'. `this

   earth of majesty', `this precious stone' and so on. While this may be taken

   at face value, more is being conveyed than simple praise for the country's

   virtues.

 

   Gaunt is alluding to the destruction of the old ways brought about by the

   Plantagenet wars. His description of `this sceptered isle' is not only

   imagery of England as a jewel set in the sea. England's kings wear sceptres

   and the land and its people are `sceptered', that is, subject to the throne.

   Also, the reference to the country as `this seat of Mars [the god of war] and

   `this fortress' suggest that the throne is a military prize, rules by the

   strongest, not necessarily the best.

 

   From Shakespeare's Richard II, 1593.

 

       This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle,

       This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,

       This other Eden, demi-paradise,

       This fortress built by Nature for herself

       Against infection and the hand of war,

       This happy breed of men, this little world,

       This precious stone set in the silver sea,

       Which serves it in the office of a wall,

       Or as a moat defensive to a house,

       Against the envy of less happier lands,

       This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England,

 

- www.phrases.org.uk [edited]

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The verses often remind me of the idea I held when I was young, that other

peoples didn't love their own countries as much as we Chinese love our great

motherland. I remember at a patriotic moment, possibly after a flag-raising

ceremony, telling a group of highschool classmates what I thought and not

everyone roared in agreement. Wet behind the ears, I was such a nerd. So simple

and sometimes naive :-)