Classic Poem

Almighty Jesu! first and last,
The sole original and cause
Of all heroic actions past,
The God of patriot deeds, and gracious laws;
Which didst at sea this western empire found
The chief, the lords and people in thy love renown'd.

We thank thee that we were despis'd,
And as unblest barbarians held;
For then and therefore thou devis'd
All things in which we have the rest excell'd;
The progeny, that God's free woman bare,
In all their leagues and dealings faithful, just and fair.

We thank thee for the spacious stream,
Thrice rolling thro' the sounding arch;
O'er which the dome of CHRIST supreme
Sees George's gallant horse exalt their march,
And thence their prosp'rous embarkation speed,
Against the fraud and pride of Moab's spurious seed.

We thank thee for the naval sway
Which o'er the subject seas we claim;
And for the homage nations pay,
Submissive to the great Britannic fame;
Who soon as they thy precious cross discern,
Bow lowering to the staff on our imperial stern.

We thank thee for Eliza's reign,
When to the realm thy spirit spake;
And for thy triumphs on the main
By Howard, Forbisher, and glorious Drake;
Whose heart was offer'd, resolute and free,
To bleed for Englishmen, but that was done by thee.

We thank thee for thy pow'r divine,
By which our ships were mann'd from heav'n;
What wonder then if three should join
To play their destin'd balls and conquer seven,
That Forest, Suckling, Langdon should prevail,
When thou hadst weigh'd the combat in thy righteous scale.

The glory to thy name we yield,
By which the vast exploit was done;
At Poictier's and in Cressey's field
Against vain Moab must'ring ten to one,
‘Enough to kill, to take and put to flight,’
By faith of Englishmen in God's redoubted might.

The glory to thy name for Cam,
Immortal from the hour he bled,
Who stoutly fixt himself to dam
The torrent, rushing on his LEADER's head;
The glory to thy name, for each and all,
Of Henry's gifted sword, or Edward's noble stall.

The glory to thy name for Ann,
And for the houses that she built;
And for that great victorious man,
Who ran profane oppression to the hilt;
Born HIS sublime atchievement to fulfill,
Which bids IMPOSSIBLE make speed to do his will.

The glory to thy name for Ann,
Sweet princess, with thy grace endu'd;
And for that charitable plan,
By which the poor may preach, and have his food;
And for the special pray'r that she preferr'd,
Which for the famous march of deathless Webb was heard.

The glory to thy name for Ann,
Again a princess, and most sweet,
To meet her Saviour Christ she ran,
And gently stoopt to wash the poor man's feet;
Queen of the wave, to cherish with her wing
A Russel, Shovel, Rook, a Benbow, and a Byng.

We give the glory for the means
By which the reformation rose;
Thy grace to stop the bloody scenes
Of pride and cruelty, thy deadly foes;
Whence now the church in dignity sublimes,
The simple truth of Christ, and praise of pristine times.

We give the glory for thy word,
That it so well becomes our tongue;
And that thy spirit is transferr'd
Upon the strains of old in Hebrew sung.
And for the services dispers'd abroad,
—The church her seemly course of practic pray'r and laud.

We give the glory for the eyes
Of science, and the realm around;
The two great rivals for the prize,
Ingenuous to a blessing on the sound.
Well may their schools and num'rous chapels teach,
‘The word is very Christ, that we adore and preach.’

O fair possessions! ghostly wealth!
Nigh laid and lost on Charles's block,
What time the constitution's health
Was broke, and ruin'd by the general shock;
Till God was with the loyal pray'r implor'd,
And THIS DAY saw the heir acknowledg'd and restor'd.

On this day, therefore, we support
The joy with such applause begun,
Which sounding from th' imperial fort,
Redoubles clam'rous roar from gun to gun.
Controuling unto good the sulph'rous blaze,
And making Satan's wrath benevolent of praise.

List!—as ye bless at each discharge,
Remember where the glory's due
(In every house, and bow'r and barge)
To Christ his love for everlasting true.
Accordant to the prophecies express,
His people to redeem, revisit and redress.

Remember all the pious vows
Made by our ancestors, for us,
That we should thus dispose the boughs,
And wear the royal oak in triumph thus;
And to the skies, the caps of freedom hurl'd,
Should thus proclaim the queen of islands and the world.

Ye soldiers reverend with scars,
Remember Chelsea's pleasant groves;
And you, ye students of the stars,
Remov'd from seaman's toils to fair alcoves;
Remember Edward's children train'd in art,
Which now can con the card, and now can plan the chart.

Remember all ye may of good,
Select the nosegay from the sod;
But leave the brambles in the wood—
Remember charity is God—
Which, scorning custom, her illib'ral crowds
Brings virtue to the sun, while slips and crimes she clouds.