 | Sacra Poesis |  |
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A CARMEN SÆCULARE FOR CHRISTIAN ENGLAND,
On the pattern and in the metre of that for heathen Rome by Horace.
O God of Gods, and ruler of the kingdoms,
Glory of highest heaven, the Almighty,
Thou to be prais'd and worshipp'd never-ceasing,
Hear us, Jehovah!
Glory of highest heaven, the Almighty,
Thou to be prais'd and worshipp'd never-ceasing,
Hear us, Jehovah!
While as in days of innocence aforetime
We in the choral voice of supplication
Cry to the one great Spirit who beholds us,
Save, we beseech Thee!
We in the choral voice of supplication
Cry to the one great Spirit who beholds us,
Save, we beseech Thee!
May thy bright sun, that bathes the noon in glory,
And at whose setting Even blushes sweetly,
Still as he beams successive o'er the nations,
Smile upon England.
And at whose setting Even blushes sweetly,
Still as he beams successive o'er the nations,
Smile upon England.
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Kindly may nature, providence approving,
Bless our homes with increase, and the matrons
Gently relieving, give us noble sons and
Virtuous daughters.
Bless our homes with increase, and the matrons
Gently relieving, give us noble sons and
Virtuous daughters.
Rivet the golden links of holy wedlock,—
And be the social interest unbroken,
While on her lord the wedded wife depending,
Smiles for him only.
And be the social interest unbroken,
While on her lord the wedded wife depending,
Smiles for him only.
Still against sect and heresy protesting,
Nursing her babes with motherly affection,
Loving to all, and tender, may the Church be
Faithful and holy.
Nursing her babes with motherly affection,
Loving to all, and tender, may the Church be
Faithful and holy.
And if Omniscience, never to be alter'd
In its decrees, be destiny presiding,
May Britain, by that destiny protected,
Prosper in greatness.
In its decrees, be destiny presiding,
May Britain, by that destiny protected,
Prosper in greatness.
O send us kindly seasons, that abundant
Be the rich fruits of mother earth, and healthy
Still be the gales that waft us o'er the ocean
Conquerors ever!
Be the rich fruits of mother earth, and healthy
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Conquerors ever!
Hear us, Redeemer, hear us, Ever-blessed!
Hear, thou that dwellest Infinite in splendour,
Hear, thou that always lovest to be gracious,
Rise and be with us!
Hear, thou that dwellest Infinite in splendour,
Hear, thou that always lovest to be gracious,
Rise and be with us!
If yet thou smilest favouring on England,
If yet the rose, the thistle, and the shamrock,
Form a sweet garland offer'd on thine altar,
Keep us united.
If yet the rose, the thistle, and the shamrock,
Form a sweet garland offer'd on thine altar,
Keep us united.
Let not the midnight murderer infest us,
Let not the base incendiary be near us,
Let not the foul adulterer pollute us,—
Spare us from evil.
Let not the base incendiary be near us,
Let not the foul adulterer pollute us,—
Spare us from evil.
Bring up the youth in modesty and virtue,
Grant to old age tranquillity and wisdom,
Grant to the sons of Britain health and honour,
Greatness and plenty.
Grant to old age tranquillity and wisdom,
Grant to the sons of Britain health and honour,
Greatness and plenty.
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May British mercy more than British valour
Gain from the world the laurel and the olive,
Till over all her enemies triumphant
Glories Britannia!
Gain from the world the laurel and the olive,
Till over all her enemies triumphant
Glories Britannia!
Now the red plain of Waterloo, the Baltic,
And the swart bands of rebel Spain obey us,
Now East and West extend the wings of England,
Circling the nations.
And the swart bands of rebel Spain obey us,
Now East and West extend the wings of England,
Circling the nations.
Let open faith, integrity, uprightness,
Let patriarchal piety, and pureness
Quickly return,—and plenty with her bounties,
Pouring upon us.
Let patriarchal piety, and pureness
Quickly return,—and plenty with her bounties,
Pouring upon us.
Let not the bane of indolence infect us;
But may all arts, and sciences, and commerce,
All that can bless and beautify a nation,
Ever be Britain's!
But may all arts, and sciences, and commerce,
All that can bless and beautify a nation,
Ever be Britain's!
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Long as the world rejoices in thy mercy,
Holding it up, Omnipotent,—let England,
Let Caledonia, with her sister Erin,
Queen of the kingdoms,
Holding it up, Omnipotent,—let England,
Let Caledonia, with her sister Erin,
Queen of the kingdoms,
Reign, and be strong, acknowledging thy mercies;
Hear us in choral voice of supplication,
Who now invoke thy succour and thy blessing,
Father Almighty!
Hear us in choral voice of supplication,
Who now invoke thy succour and thy blessing,
Father Almighty!
Yes, we accept the promise of thine answer,
Yes, we believe the Holy One has heard us,
And with united voice and heart we thank thee,
Through the Redeemer.
Yes, we believe the Holy One has heard us,
And with united voice and heart we thank thee,
Through the Redeemer.
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