Page:Lyra heroica.djvu/341

 cxvn ENGLAND

ENGLAND, queen of the waves, whose green inviolate

girdle enrings thee round, Mother fair as the morning, where is now the place

of thy foemen found? Still the sea that salutes us free proclaims them

stricken, acclaims thee crowned. Time may change, and the skies grow strange with

signs of treason, and fraud, and fear: Foes in union of strange communion may rise against

thee from far and near : Sloth and greed on thy strength may feed as cankers

waxing from year to year.

Yet, though treason and fierce unreason should league and lie and defame and smite,

We that know thee, how far below thee the hatred burns of the sons of night,

We that love thee, behold above thee the witness written of life in light.

Life that shines from thee shows forth signs that none may read not by eyeless foes:

Hate, born blind, in his abject mind grows hopeful now but as madness grows:

Love, born wise, with exultant eyes adores thy glory, beholds and glows.

Truth is in thee, and none may win thee to lie, for- saking the face of truth:

�� �