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Ballads of the War

By H. D. Rawnsley

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Sail Away “Tantallon”
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


29

Sail Away “Tantallon”

To the public-spirited promoters of the Portland War Hospital, who sailed on board the Tantallon Castle for the Cape, Saturday, December 9th.

Every heart you call on,
Each voice speeding sends,
Sail away Tantallon
With our gallant friends!
Leave the cattle lowing,
Underneath the hill,
Leave the yew-trees growing
Quaintly at your will.
Leave the Hall of Levens,
Leave the banks of Lune,
This your work is Heaven's,
Britain feels the boon.
Knightly-hearted healer,
Gentle-hearted dame,
Modder and Tugela
Soon shall know your name.

30

We with sword and thunder
And the cannon's breath,
Tear the wounds asunder
You will bind from death.
You, for friend and foeman,
Passionately plan
Pity of a woman,
Mercy of a man.
You, while others thought it,
Dared the thing to prove,
Others dreamed—you wrought it
This your deed of love.
Not a heart you call on
Now would bid you stay,
Sail away, Tantallon
Safe to Table Bay.
All our tongues confess you
Lords in love's employ,
Bentinck! Bagot! bless you!
Come again with joy.