cxvn ENGLAND
ENGLAND, queen of the waves, whose green inviolate
girdle enrings thee round, Mother fair as the morning, where is now the place
of thy foemen found? Still the sea that salutes us free proclaims them
stricken, acclaims thee crowned. Time may change, and the skies grow strange with
signs of treason, and fraud, and fear: Foes in union of strange communion may rise against
thee from far and near : Sloth and greed on thy strength may feed as cankers
waxing from year to year.
Yet, though treason and fierce unreason should league and lie and defame and smite,
We that know thee, how far below thee the hatred burns of the sons of night,
We that love thee, behold above thee the witness written of life in light.
Life that shines from thee shows forth signs that none may read not by eyeless foes:
Hate, born blind, in his abject mind grows hopeful now but as madness grows:
Love, born wise, with exultant eyes adores thy glory, beholds and glows.
Truth is in thee, and none may win thee to lie, for- saking the face of truth:
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