 | The White Pilgrim and Other Poems |  |
162
READY, AY, READY.
Old England's sons are English yet,
Old England's hearts are strong;
And still she wears her coronet
Aflame with sword and song.
As in their pride our fathers died,
If need be, so die we;
So wield we still, gainsay who will,
The sceptre of the sea.
England, stand fast; let hand and heart be steady;
Be thy first word thy last: Ready, ay, ready!
Old England's hearts are strong;
And still she wears her coronet
Aflame with sword and song.
As in their pride our fathers died,
If need be, so die we;
So wield we still, gainsay who will,
The sceptre of the sea.
England, stand fast; let hand and heart be steady;
Be thy first word thy last: Ready, ay, ready!
We've Raleighs still for Raleigh's part,
We've Nelsons yet unknown;
The pulses of the Lion-Heart
Beat on through Wellington.
Hold, Britain, hold thy creed of old,
Strong foe and steadfast friend,
And still unto thy motto true,
Defy not, but defend.
England, stand fast; let heart and hand be steady;
Be thy first word thy last: Ready, ay, ready!
We've Nelsons yet unknown;
The pulses of the Lion-Heart
Beat on through Wellington.
Hold, Britain, hold thy creed of old,
Strong foe and steadfast friend,
And still unto thy motto true,
Defy not, but defend.
England, stand fast; let heart and hand be steady;
Be thy first word thy last: Ready, ay, ready!
163
Men whispered that our arm was weak,
Men said our blood was cold,
And that our hearts no longer speak
The clarion-note of old;
But let the spear and sword draw near
The sleeping lion's den,
His island shore shall start once more
To life with armèd men.
England, stand fast; let heart and hand be steady;
Be thy first word thy last: Ready, ay, ready!
Men said our blood was cold,
And that our hearts no longer speak
The clarion-note of old;
But let the spear and sword draw near
The sleeping lion's den,
His island shore shall start once more
To life with armèd men.
England, stand fast; let heart and hand be steady;
Be thy first word thy last: Ready, ay, ready!
| The White Pilgrim and Other Poems | |