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84
SHAKESPEARE AND VICTORY
Who whined that England's manhood was unstrung?
Aye, Shakespeare's England, sunk in sloth's decay,
That once had upborne the fight of Crispin's day
Reckless of odds? What insolent caitiff flung
Insult upon her, and contemptuous sung
The invincible vengeance of his armed array?
Fools, ye ne'er dreamed what awful power there lay
Deep in her yet, if but God's call outrung!
Aye, Shakespeare's England, sunk in sloth's decay,
That once had upborne the fight of Crispin's day
Reckless of odds? What insolent caitiff flung
Insult upon her, and contemptuous sung
The invincible vengeance of his armed array?
Fools, ye ne'er dreamed what awful power there lay
Deep in her yet, if but God's call outrung!
Ah! Shakespeare, this hour thy spirit enraptured smiles
In radiant pride for thy loved Country's fame:
And as through years of strain and craftiest wiles
Thou steeledst her children to endure and dare,
So keep her now in Freedom's glorious name
Earth's beaconing Light o'er land, and seas, and air!
In radiant pride for thy loved Country's fame:
And as through years of strain and craftiest wiles
Thou steeledst her children to endure and dare,
So keep her now in Freedom's glorious name
Earth's beaconing Light o'er land, and seas, and air!
November 21st, 1918.
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