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THE COMING DAYS.
And have we won through our victorious arms,
Now respite from the wars; already frowns
Dire tempest which must fall upon the world
Nigh to our shores, and shall be greater wars.
Now respite from the wars; already frowns
Dire tempest which must fall upon the world
Nigh to our shores, and shall be greater wars.
So long the Lion slumbered that he seemed
Nigh dead; descended yelling from the woods
Wolves and flocked vultures greedy of his great blood.
They looked his mighty inheritance soon divide.
Nigh dead; descended yelling from the woods
Wolves and flocked vultures greedy of his great blood.
They looked his mighty inheritance soon divide.
But for that time did the decree of Heaven
Their dark designs frustrate, sending, which stung
The eyelid of that Lion, an hornet base.
Yawning he roused him, and stretched forth his paws
And fled those beasts of ravin and fell birds.
Their dark designs frustrate, sending, which stung
The eyelid of that Lion, an hornet base.
Yawning he roused him, and stretched forth his paws
And fled those beasts of ravin and fell birds.
Ware thee to sleep, Lion, in thy pride henceforth!
Lest thou be taken tardy, in evil day,
When many assembling mighty hunters round thee
Shall shoot darts and their nets would on thee cast.
Rouse thee, Oh Generous! Heaven renews thy youth.
Dream no more vain illusions of the night,
That with thee slumber all wild beasts in forest.
Lest thou be taken tardy, in evil day,
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Shall shoot darts and their nets would on thee cast.
Rouse thee, Oh Generous! Heaven renews thy youth.
Dream no more vain illusions of the night,
That with thee slumber all wild beasts in forest.
Since only in strength, in a malignant world,
Is surety, be we a Nation alway armed;
Maintain our just dominion on the seas,
Prepare our land defence 'gainst mighty armies.
Is surety, be we a Nation alway armed;
Maintain our just dominion on the seas,
Prepare our land defence 'gainst mighty armies.
Only a People armed 'gainst every chance
May dwell in safety. Who then England's sons
In skill of arms be hardened all your hands!
May dwell in safety. Who then England's sons
In skill of arms be hardened all your hands!
And (like as men in every trade of life
That look to thrive) their calling, who lead soldiers,
Still meditate, expecting always wars.
Not given o'ermuch to ease by day or night,
Devising aye our foes new ambushes.
That look to thrive) their calling, who lead soldiers,
Still meditate, expecting always wars.
Not given o'ermuch to ease by day or night,
Devising aye our foes new ambushes.
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And who in Britain, Archimedes' sons,
(And in this kind our Nation won't excel)
Bend still your subtle minds to find machines
And new inventions of all warlike engines,
Searching hid forces that in Nature work.
(And in this kind our Nation won't excel)
Bend still your subtle minds to find machines
And new inventions of all warlike engines,
Searching hid forces that in Nature work.
How should grow green then Britain's fruitful field
Each year with spring, and bring forth martial buds.
And ye chief Captains of our arms which rule
From your high seat, in the great nations' race,
The iron cart of war, that proudly bears
Britain's broad banner, still the van may hold.
Each year with spring, and bring forth martial buds.
And ye chief Captains of our arms which rule
From your high seat, in the great nations' race,
The iron cart of war, that proudly bears
Britain's broad banner, still the van may hold.
So we that mighty Empire we received
From God unminished to our sons may leave.
From God unminished to our sons may leave.
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