Page:The Spirit of the Nation.djvu/150

54 But if they're in a fighting mood,

Why—let them come and try.

But Britain's Lion couchant crawls,

Exhausted, though alive,

He wants, behind his "Wooden Walls,"

The "Men of Twenty-five."

IV.

Then, brothers, wake—you are awake—

Then up—from vale and hill—

For Liberty, for Ireland's sake,

Sustain the "green flag" still;

And ere your years are "twenty-six,"

As sure as God's alive,

Bright Victory's sun his beams will fix

On th' "Men of Twenty-five."

V.

And when our gallant-hearted band

Down life's calm noon-tide run,

We'll smile upon that happy land

Our youthful vigour won.

And when our heads are old and grey,

If, haply, we survive,

"He was," our sons shall proudly say,

What? stirring at last, "Old Land!"

And dar'st thou gaze at the sun?

And thy mighty sister looking on!

Why thou hast never a brand,