Page:Backblock Ballads and Later Verses (C.J. Dennis, 1918).djvu/88



Lord, Thou hast given unto us a land. In Thy beneficence Thou has ordained That we should hold a country great and grand, Such as no race of old has ever gained. A favoured people, basking in Thy smile: So dost Thou leave us to work out our fate; But, Lord, be patient yet a little while. The shade is pleasing and our task is great.

Lo, Thou hast said: "This land I give to you    To be the cradle of a mighty race, Who shall take up the White Man's task anew,     And all the nations of the world outpace. No heritage for cowards or for slaves,     Here is a mission for the brave, the strong. Then see ye to it, lest dishonoured graves     Bear witness that ye tarried overlong."