Poems by Felicia Dorothea Browne/To Patriotism

by Felicia Hemans

TO PATRIOTISM.

Genius of Britannia's land,
Hither lead thy chosen band:
Honour with the laurel crown,
Valour, panting for renown;
Enterprize, who waves on high
The British flag of victory;
And Fortitude, with awful state,
Who soars above the storm of fate.

Oh! by the spirits of the brave,
The heroes of Trafalgar's wave;
And by our Nelson's sacred name,
And by our Abercromby's fame,
Do thou Britannia's sons inspire
With all thy energy and fire:
Teach them to conquer or to die
With firm unshaken loyalty.
Then may some bard record their praise
In sweet enthusiastic lays;
And hail the patriotic band,
The guardians of their native land;
Whose names shall live in warlike story,
Consigned to everlasting glory.