Page:Poems, new and old (IA poemsnewold00newb).pdf/30

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The Hundredth Year

"Drake, and Blake, and Nelson's mighty name."

The stars were faint in heaven
That saw the Old Year die:
The dream-white mist of Devon
Shut in the seaward sky:
Before the dawn's unveiling
I heard three voices hailing,
I saw three ships come sailing
With lanterns gleaming high.

The first he cried defiance—
A full-mouthed voice and bold—
"On God be our reliance,
Our hope the Spaniard's gold!
With a still, stern ambuscado,
With a roaring escalado,
We'll sack their Eldorado
And storm their dungeon hold!"

Then slowly spake the second—
A great sad voice and deep—
"When all your gold is reckoned,
There is but this to keep:

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