He was born an Englishman and remained one for years.

Brendan Behan (1923 - 1964), Hostage (1958)

England and America are two countries separated by a common language.

George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950)

The English have no respect for their language, and will not teach their children to speak it.

George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950), Pygmalion (1916) preface

We don't bother much about dress and manners in England, because as a nation we don't dress well and we've no manners.

George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950), "You Never Can Tell" (1898), act I

We have really everything in common with America nowadays except, of course, language.

Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900), The Canterville Ghost, 1882

This England never did, nor never shall,

Lie at the proud foot of a conqueror¹.

William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616), "King John", Act 5 scene 7

This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle²,

This earth of majesty³, this seat of Mars,

This other Eden, demi-paradise,

This fortress⁴ 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 defensive⁵ to a house,

Against the envy of less happier lands,--

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

William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616), "King Richard II", Act 2 scene 1