 | Fleet Street and Other Poems |  |
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SONG FOR THE TWENTY-FOURTH OF MAY
I
The character and strength of usWho conquer everywhere,
We sing the English of it thus,
And bid the world beware:
We bid the world beware
The perfect heart and will,
That dare the utmost men may dare
And follow freedom still.
Sea-room, land-room, ours, my masters, ours,
Hand in hand with destiny, and first among the Powers!
Our boasted Ocean Empire, sirs, we boast of it again,
Our Monarch, and our Rulers, and our Women, and our Men!
148
II
The pillars of our Empire standIn unforgotten graves;
We built dominion on the land,
And greatness on the waves:
Our Empire on the waves,
Established firm and sure,
And founded deep in ocean's caves
While honour shall endure.
Sea-room, land-room, honourably ours,
Hand in hand with destiny and first among the Powers!
Our boasted Ocean Empire, sirs, we boast of it again,
Our ancient Isles, our Lands afar, and all our loyal Men!
III
Our flag, on every wind unfurled,Proclaims from sea to sea
A future and a nobler world
Where men and thoughts are free:
Our men, our thoughts are free:
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We stand in arms for liberty
Till bonds and bondage cease.
Sea-room, land-room, ours, appointed ours,
Conscious of our calling and the first among the Powers!
Our boasted Ocean Sovereignty, again and yet again!
Our Counsel, and our Conduct, and our Armaments and Men!
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