Back in the 1500s, Shakespeare aptly predicted the demise of this nation in John of Gaunt’s dying speech (‘Richard II’):
“This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle,
This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars…
This land of such dear souls, this dear dear land,
Dear for her reputation through the world,
Is now leased out, I die pronouncing it –
Like to a tenement or pelting farm…
That England, that was wont to conquer others
Hath made a shameful conquest of itself.”
Brian Box
Southwick, West Sussex