| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895. |
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| Ready, Ay, Ready |
| | | Herman Charles Merivale (b. 1839) |
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| OLD England’s sons are English yet, | |
| Old England’s hearts are strong; | |
| And still she wears her coronet | |
| Aflame with sword and song. | |
| As in their pride our fathers died, | 5 |
| If need be, so die we; | |
| So wield we still, gainsay who will, | |
| The sceptre of the sea. | |
| England, stand fast; let hand and heart be steady; | |
| Be thy first word thy last,—Ready, ay, ready! | 10 |
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| We ’ve Releighs still for Raleigh’s part, | |
| We ’ve Nelsons yet unknown; | |
| The pulses of the Lion Heart | |
| Beat on through Wellington. | |
| Hold, Britain, hold thy creed of old, | 15 |
| Strong foe and steadfast friend, | |
| And, still unto thy motto true, | |
| Defy not, but defend. | |
| England, stand fast; let heart and hand be steady; | |
| Be thy first word thy last,—Ready, ay, ready! | 20 |
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| Men whisper’d that our arm was weak, | |
| Men said our blood was cold, | |
| And that our hearts no longer speak | |
| The clarion-note of old; | |
| But let the spear and sword draw near | 25 |
| The sleeping lion’s den, | |
| His island shore shall start once more | |
| To life with armed men. | |
| England, stand fast; let heart and hand be steady; | |
| Be thy first word thy last,—Ready, ay, ready! | 30 |
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