 | Vigil and vision |  |
92
ENGLAND'S GOD.
1.
LORD, Thou, indeed, hast been our dwelling-place,From generation unto generation.
The confluence of nation upon nation,
The storm diluvian of race on race,
That, since our Britain, on her island-base
Throned, hath the world for her inhabitation
Taken, have striven to shock us from our station,
We had not, save with Thee, availed to face.
“What is this God?” The envious nations question.
“Sure none of those to whom we bend the knee
“'Tis that this little people to the gestion
“Of all the world hath brought from sea to sea,
“That hath their governance ordained to be
“Beyond opposing and above contestion?”
2.
Our God is none of yours; no Baal uncouth,No Moloch, Allah, Jahveh, Adonaï,
Such as, his thunder-summits of Sináï
Forsaking in the world's unhistoried youth,
Taught men the love of hate, the scorn of ruth,
That burned and slew in Jericho and Aï;
No earless Norns we serve, no eyeless Graiai;
Our England's God is loyalty and truth.
These are our Elohim, alone perduring
O'er all Gods else, that are but for a day:
Leant on their help, disdaining passion's luring,
Built hath our Britain her imperial sway;
Nor, whilst she standeth fast on their assuring,
Her faith shall fail, her power shall pass away.
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