Page:Canadian poems of the great war.djvu/200

 Lloyd Roberts

Twas but a flock of privateers that sunk the fleet that

day: Twas but a crew of city clerks that left their shops to

pay For their red-cheeked English wives and their peaceful

English lives, And the right to cut their broadcloth in the same old

English way.

What price did God demand of her at Nile and Trafalgar, When all the seas about her coast were thundering with

war;

When the Man of Destiny set claim upon the sea, Swearing the Lord had deeded him the waves forever- more?

Twas but a little one-armed man who went to pay the

debt :

He ran a string of flags aloft lest any man forget The bill that he must meet that day with England s

fleet And all who read of Trafalgar will know how it was

met!

O Admirals of England, the debt is due today !

God makes demand of England have you the price to

pay?

Does the coin that he demands still lie in British hands? If so then England s glory will not be swept away!

What price will England pay for it, if England holds the

sea?

For neither earth, nor air, nor sea is given duty free. If English ships would stay, then English men must pay, As Englishmen have always paid since England held the

sea!

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