Poems: New and Old (Newbolt)/The Hundredth Year

by Henry Newbolt

The Hundredth Year

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

 

The stars were faint in heavenThat saw the Old Year die:The dream-white mist of DevonShut in the seaward sky:Before the dawn's unveilingI heard three voices hailing,I saw three ships come sailingWith 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 EldoradoAnd 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: To stay the foe from fooling,To learn the heathen schooling,To live and die sea-ruling,And home at last to sleep."

But the third matched in beautyThe dawn that flushed afar;"O sons of England, DutyIs England's morning star:Then Fame's eternal splendourBe theirs who well defend her,And theirs who fain would bend herThe night of Trafalgar!"