Poems of the Great War/Wake up, England
"WAKE UP, ENGLAND"
THOU careless, awake!
Thou peacemaker, fight!
Stand, England, for honour,
And God guard the Right!
Thy mirth lay aside,
They cavil and play:
The foe is upon thee,
And grave is the day.
The monarch Ambition
Hath harnessed his slaves;
But the folk of the Ocean
Are free as the waves.
For Peace thou art armed
Thy Freedom to hold:
Thy Courage as iron,
The Good-faith as gold.
Through Fir, Air, and Water
Thy trial must be:
But they that love life best
Die gladly for thee.
The Love of their mothers
Is strong to command;
The fame of their fathers
Is might to their hand.
Much suffering shall cleanse thee;
But thou through the flood
Shalt win to Salvation,
To Beauty through blood.
Up, careless, awake!
Ye peacemakers, fight!
England stands for Honour:
God defend the Right!
ROBERT BRIDGES,
Poet Laureate