Classic Poem

Thou careless, awake!
Thou peacemaker, fight!
Stand, England, for honour,
And God guard the Right!

Thy mirth lay aside,
Thy cavil and play:
The foe is upon thee,
And grave is the day.

The monarch Ambition
Hath harnessed his slaves;
But the folk of the Ocean
Are free as the waves.

For Peace thou art armed
Thy Freedom to hold:
Thy courage as iron,
Thy good-faith as gold.

Through Fire, Air and Water
Thy trial must be:
But they that love life best
Die gladly for thee.

The love of their mothers
Is strong to command;
The fame of their fathers
Is might to their hand.

Much suffering shall cleanse thee; —
But thou through the flood
Shalt win to Salvation,
To beauty through blood.

Up, careless, awake!
Ye peacemakers, fight!
E NGLAND S TANDS FOR H ONOUR ,
G OD Defend THE R IGHT !