Page:A Treasury of South African Poetry.djvu/250

 EMPIRE DAY. (MAY 24TH.) we our Motherland, The Eden home of mighty realms to be, The nation-teeming isle; Despite her scowling strand, She wears the soaring glance, the victor's smile— Radiant, storm-ridden, as the meteor free, An opal dawn set in a night of sea.

World-warder fitly laid Upon the azure margin of the earth, Amid the wave's wide swirl, Amid the tempest's raid, For civic right and manhood's worth To testify thro' Time's tempestuous whirl, She sped the vital spark whose kindling ray Clove the long night that broke to Freedom's day.

Firm rides the anchored barque, With iron grip defying wind and wave, Safeguarding all within; Above, the storm hangs dark, Around, the seething waters rage; Fearless she meets the elemental din; Fearless they rest who braved the tempest's power, Contrasting present peace with danger's hour.