 | Under Arms |  |
29
THE NEW MILITARY SERVICE
Are called the youth of Britain to bear arms
As many as be approved shall serve as soldiers.
Is debt, Oh our sons! that Mother Land defend,
Which nourished you of the fulness of her breast.
As many as be approved shall serve as soldiers.
Is debt, Oh our sons! that Mother Land defend,
Which nourished you of the fulness of her breast.
This sacrifice shall purify all hearts!
—And hark! who chosen an imperial soldier,
Sound of his limbs and sighted well to shoot,
It is his manly honour, to whose hands
Shall trusted be to-day the Nation's arms.
In sign whereof ye put on the Queen's cloth.
—And hark! who chosen an imperial soldier,
Sound of his limbs and sighted well to shoot,
It is his manly honour, to whose hands
Shall trusted be to-day the Nation's arms.
In sign whereof ye put on the Queen's cloth.
How seems their manhood with new beauty adorned,
Erect, well knit, and strong to every proof!
On them, the fair-faced maidens proudly look,
That ward all foreign perils from our shores,
And willing were to serve beyond the seas,
Aye! and faithful should be found to death in wars.
Erect, well knit, and strong to every proof!
On them, the fair-faced maidens proudly look,
That ward all foreign perils from our shores,
And willing were to serve beyond the seas,
Aye! and faithful should be found to death in wars.
30
Lo! all the sons of Britain in one rank,
Ready, for love of country, in their fresh youth!
And know that England's mighty Empire stands
Fast by the warlike virtue of her sons.
Ready, for love of country, in their fresh youth!
And know that England's mighty Empire stands
Fast by the warlike virtue of her sons.
| Under Arms | |