Page:Poems of the Great War - Cunliffe.djvu/305

 ��MOTHER OF NATIONS WHY?

Does the Mother of Nations draw the sword To rescue her children oppressed ?

They have all that the richest lands afford ;

They sit content at an ample board As safe as a bird in its nest.

Has she laid her spear on the shield of Mars

New lands in the wars to gain ? Her dominions extend wherever the stars Are blushing with shame for our foolish wars ;

Her ships are on every main.

And not that the world may acclaim her grand

Is the roar of her guns on the seas ; Her name is lustred on every strand, Her glory is known to the farthest land Where her standard floats on the breeze.

Ah this is the pillar of cloud and fire

That leads her hosts along ; This, this is the goal of their deep desire, The road where their feet shall never tire, —

To be just, keep faith and be strong.

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