| Arthur Quiller-Couch, comp. The Oxford Book of Victorian Verse. 1922. | | | | II. Gibraltar | | By Richard Chenevix Trench (1807–1886) |
| | | ENGLAND, we love thee better than we know.— | |
| And this I learn’d when, after wand’rings long | |
| ’Mid people of another stock and tongue, | |
| I heard again thy martial music blow, | |
| And saw thy gallant children to and fro | 5 |
| Pace, keeping ward at one of those huge gates, | |
| Twin giants watching the Herculean Straits. | |
| When first I came in sight of that brave show, | |
| It made the very heart within me dance, | |
| To think that thou thy proud foot shouldst advance | 10 |
| Forward so far into the mighty sea. | |
| Joy was it and exultation to behold | |
| Thine ancient standard’s rich emblazonry, | |
| A glorious picture by the wind unroll’d. | | | | |
|
|
