 | The Anniversaries |  |
79
June 15.
MAGNA CHARTA.
[_]
On this day, 1215, at Runnymede, a meadow beside the Thames between Staines and Windsor, the barons of England extorted the Great Charter from King John.
Mourn, ye lands, where Freedom maketh
Fiery cheer and fleeting stay!
Forth the sudden brightness breaketh,
Sudden dieth the fierce day:
Never stays the glorious guest
Long enough to make you blest.
Fiery cheer and fleeting stay!
Forth the sudden brightness breaketh,
Sudden dieth the fierce day:
Never stays the glorious guest
Long enough to make you blest.
Not on England thus she streameth,
Here she builds no summer bower;
Sweet beside our hearths she beameth,
Riseth here her strong grey tower;
Long her reign and calm her smile
In the well-belovëd isle.
Here she builds no summer bower;
Sweet beside our hearths she beameth,
Riseth here her strong grey tower;
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In the well-belovëd isle.
Linkëd by her chain all golden,
England! glow thy solemn years:
Where she walked in ages olden,
Still her radiant front she rears.
We her shining course may read,
Step by step, from Runnymede.
England! glow thy solemn years:
Where she walked in ages olden,
Still her radiant front she rears.
We her shining course may read,
Step by step, from Runnymede.
Here in that green meadow glorious,
On that long, bright summer-day,
O'er a traitor king victorious
England stood in fast array:
There streamed forth her fiery soul;
There was won the priceless scroll.
On that long, bright summer-day,
O'er a traitor king victorious
England stood in fast array:
There streamed forth her fiery soul;
There was won the priceless scroll.
Never has that soul been tamëd,
Never has that roll been rent;
Not alone this day is famëd,
Not alone one tyrant bent;
Not alone this glorious scroll
Doth proud England's hand unroll.
Never has that roll been rent;
Not alone this day is famëd,
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Not alone this glorious scroll
Doth proud England's hand unroll.
England! clasp those lineal charters,
Each with grace more fully fraught!
Bless the unbroken line of martyrs
Who their sealing blood have brought!
Sing how Freedom's broadening fire
Burneth on to son from sire!
Each with grace more fully fraught!
Bless the unbroken line of martyrs
Who their sealing blood have brought!
Sing how Freedom's broadening fire
Burneth on to son from sire!
Ah! to other lands is scanted
The rich banquet spread for thee;
To thy soul alone is granted
The full feast of Memory.
On thy Past divinely feed!
Make glad cheer at Runnymede!
The rich banquet spread for thee;
To thy soul alone is granted
The full feast of Memory.
On thy Past divinely feed!
Make glad cheer at Runnymede!
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