University of Virginia Library


49

TO THE AUTHOR OF “FOR ENGLAND”

SONNET

Singer, who standest forth, alone, apart,
Recalling England to her nobler dreams,
Strangely divine thy pure strong music seems.
Thou hast the ancient fire within thy heart,
Yet harrowest not the stately shrines of Art
By the harsh battle-trumpet's strident screams.
The voice of mountains and of mountain-streams
Allures thee more than turmoil of the mart.
Follow thy path with ever greatening fame
And let the future England, when her eyes
Open at last and this day's madness dies,
Thrill at the memory of a mighty name,
The name of one who, weeping at her shame,
Said to her slumbering soul, “Awake, arise.”
1904.