 | Britannia |  |
10
SCENE VI.
At the sound of a boatswain's whistle, blown by one of the Tritons, a croud of sailors rush in; a boatswain at their head, singing.BOATSWAIN
sings.
Yes—ours is the bottom, on which to rely;
And ours the sound heart, that will conquer or dy.
[These verses are repeated by all the rest in chorus.
'Tis our country that calls us: her voice we obey.
When she wants our aid; shall a sailor say nay?
With the foes of old England our Rulers may cope,
While a sword we can brandish, or handle a rope:
For Britain shall find us, both body and soul,
As true to her cause, as our steel to it's pole.
CHORUS.
Yes—Britain shall find us, both body and soul,
As true to her cause, as our steel to it's pole.
11
Dares the coxcomb in heart, dares the capering slave
Despise us plain fellows, whom freedom makes brave?
Huzza! gallant hearts: let the Triflers behold
Such Englishmen now, as they fled from of old.
CHORUS.
Huzza! gallant hearts: let the Triflers behold
Such Englishmen now, as they ran from of old.
Third SAILOR.
From the mistress we love, from the monarch we serve,
No distance, no danger shall e'er make us swerve.
Let landmen delight in deceit and grimace,
Attempt at your throat, while they laugh in your face;
Too honest for art, and too gallant for guile,
We frown where we hate, as we love where we smile.
CHORUS.
Then—ours is the bottom, on which to rely;
And ours the sound heart, that will conquer or dy!
| Britannia | |