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| ENGLAND, in this great fight to which you go | |
| Because, where Honour calls you, go you must, | |
| Be glad, whatever comes, at least to know | |
| You have your quarrel just. | |
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| Peace was your care; before the nations’ bar | 5 |
| Her cause you pleaded and her ends you sought; | |
| But not for her sake, being what you are, | |
| Could you be bribed and bought. | |
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| Others may spurn the pledge of land to land, | |
| May with the brute sword stain a gallant past; | 10 |
| But by the seal to which you set your hand, | |
| Thank God, you still stand fast! | |
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| Forth, then, to front that peril of the deep | |
| With smiling lips and in your eyes the light, | |
| Steadfast and confident, of those who keep | 15 |
| Their storied ’scutcheon bright. | |
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| And we, whose burden is to watch and wait,— | |
| High-hearted ever, strong in faith and prayer,— | |
| We ask what offering we may consecrate, | |
| What humble service share. | 20 |
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| To steel our souls against the lust of ease; | |
| To bear in silence though our hearts may bleed; | |
| To spend ourselves, and never count the cost, | |
| For others’ greater need;— | |
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| To go our quiet ways, subdued and sane; | 25 |
| To hush all vulgar clamour of the street; | |
| With level calm to face alike the strain | |
| Of triumph or defeat; | |
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| This be our part, for so we serve you best, | |
| So best confirm their prowess and their pride, | 30 |
| Your warrior sons, to whom in this high test | |
Our fortunes we confide.
August 12, 1914 | |
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