Page:Alexandrina Victoria - 18th Birthday Tribute.pdf/14

'Twas in a woman's reign uprose
    That soul of enterprise,
Which since has borne our English flag
    Through foreign seas and skies.

Few were the first adventurous barks
    That plough'd the deep—but now
What breeze that bears St. George's cross,
    What shore but knows our prow!

And more than glory, or than gold,
    May British merchants say;
Look on what blessings infinite
    Have follow'd on our way.

To civilize and to redeem
    Has been our generous toil,
To sow the seeds of future good
    In many a thankful soil.

Where'er to dark and pagan lands
    Our path has been decreed,
Have we not brought the Christian's hope,
    The Christian's holy creed!

'Tis from a woman's glorious reign
    Our English isles may date
The honours of their after hours,
    The triumphs of their state.

And yet how much remains to do,
    How much is left behind!
Young daughter of a line of kings,
    Much is to thee assign'd.

Great changes have been wrought since first
    The Roman legions stood
Beneath the ancient oaks that form'd
    The Druid's mystic wood.