Page:Hemans in Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine 36 1834.pdf/4

How bravely and how solemnly
    They stand, 'midst oak and yew!
Whence Cressy's yeomen haply framed
    The bow, in battle true.

And round their walls the good swords hang
    Whose faith knew no alloy,
And shields of knighthood, pure from stain—
    Gaze on, my English Boy!

Gaze where the hamlet's ivied church
    Gleams by the antique elm,
Or where the minster lifts the cross
High thro' the air's blue realm.

Martyrs have shower'd their free hearts' blood,
    That England's prayer might rise,
From those grey fanes of thoughtful years,
    Unfetter'd, to the skies.

Along their aisles, beneath their trees,
    This earth's most glorious dust,
Once fired with valour, wisdom, song,
    Is laid in holy trust.

Gaze on—gaze farther, farther yet—
    My gallant English Boy!
Yon blue sea bears thy country's flag,
    The billows' pride and joy!

Those waves in many a fight have closed
    Above her faithful dead;
That red-cross flag victoriously
    Hath floated o'er their bed.

They perish'd—this green turf to keep
    By hostile tread unstain'd;
These knightly halls inviolate,
    Those churches unprofaned.

And high and clear, their memory's light
    Along our shore is set,
And many an answering beacon-fire
    Shall there be kindled yet!

Lift up thy heart, my English Boy!
    And pray, like them to stand,
Should God so summon thee, to guard
    The altars of the land.