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| OUR Fathers in a wondrous age, | |
| Ere yet the Earth was small, | |
| Ensured to us an heritage, | |
| And doubted not at all | |
| That we, the children of their heart, | 5 |
| Which then did beat so high, | |
| In later time should play like part | |
| For our posterity. | |
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| A thousand years they steadfast built, | |
| To ’vantage us and ours, | 10 |
| The Walls that were a world’s despair, | |
| The sea-constraining Towers: | |
| Yet in their midmost pride they knew, | |
| And unto Kings made known, | |
| Not all from these their strength they drew, | 15 |
| Their faith from brass or stone. | |
| |
| Youth’s passion, manhood’s fierce intent, | |
| With age’s judgment wise, | |
| They spent, and counted not they spent, | |
| At daily sacrifice. | 20 |
| Not lambs alone nor purchased doves | |
| Or tithe of trader’s gold— | |
| Their lives most dear, their dearer loves, | |
| They offered up of old. | |
| |
| Refraining e’en from lawful things, | 25 |
| They bowed the neck to bear | |
| The unadornèd yoke that brings | |
| Stark toil and sternest care. | |
| Wherefore through them is Freedom sure; | |
| Wherefore through them we stand, | 30 |
| From all but sloth and pride secure, | |
| In a delightsome land. | |
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| Then, fretful, murmur not they gave | |
| So great a charge to keep, | |
| Nor dream that awestruck Time shall save | 35 |
| Their labour while we sleep. | |
| Dear-bought and clear, a thousand year, | |
| Our fathers’ title runs. | |
| Make we likewise their sacrifice, | |
| Defrauding not our sons. | 40 |
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