 | English Roses |  |
125
PRO PATRIA.
Englishmen, where'er ye be
Always brave and always free,
Bearing into heathen night
Liberty's transforming light
And its charters, writ in martyrs'
Blood that sealed the sacred right;
Carrying with you as a sword
Of enfranchisement the Word,
Fighting as your father's trod
In the battles of their God;
Fooled by factions, can ye be
Still a nation brave and free?
Always brave and always free,
Bearing into heathen night
Liberty's transforming light
And its charters, writ in martyrs'
Blood that sealed the sacred right;
Carrying with you as a sword
Of enfranchisement the Word,
Fighting as your father's trod
In the battles of their God;
Fooled by factions, can ye be
Still a nation brave and free?
Englishmen restrained and strong,
Foremost against every wrong,
Fencing round your path with awe
Of a reverend iron law
Built as solemn court and column,
Without fear and without flaw;
Breathing as your life the air
Of a justice large and fair,
Showered alike on foe and friend,
To one predetermined end;
Loyal to no duty long,
Are ye still restrained and strong?
Foremost against every wrong,
Fencing round your path with awe
Of a reverend iron law
Built as solemn court and column,
Without fear and without flaw;
Breathing as your life the air
Of a justice large and fair,
Showered alike on foe and friend,
To one predetermined end;
Loyal to no duty long,
Are ye still restrained and strong?
Englishmen, erect and true
Dealing to each man his due,
Holding honour as a shield
Proved on many a flood and field;
Who in slaughter shed as water
Blood before ye fly or yield,
Known on every sea and land
By your habit of command,
And the proud imperial grace
Poured as sunrise on your face;
Signing pacts your sons will rue,
Are ye still erect and true?
Dealing to each man his due,
Holding honour as a shield
Proved on many a flood and field;
Who in slaughter shed as water
Blood before ye fly or yield,
Known on every sea and land
By your habit of command,
And the proud imperial grace
Poured as sunrise on your face;
Signing pacts your sons will rue,
Are ye still erect and true?
126
Englishmen supreme and sure,
Buttressed by a faith secure,
Ramparted with walls of fame
Never touched by shade of shame,
And the story of a glory
Down the centuries the same;
Earnest, and one people yet
With the Book or bayonet,
Simple as a child that prays
Though with kingly conquering ways;
Bought by any trickster's lure,
Are ye still supreme and sure?
Buttressed by a faith secure,
Ramparted with walls of fame
Never touched by shade of shame,
And the story of a glory
Down the centuries the same;
Earnest, and one people yet
With the Book or bayonet,
Simple as a child that prays
Though with kingly conquering ways;
Bought by any trickster's lure,
Are ye still supreme and sure?
| English Roses | |