A Song of the English

Came the Whisper, came the Vision, came the Power with the Need,
Till the Soul that is not man's soul was lent us to lead.

I. A SONG OF THE ENGLISH

Fair is our lot—O goodly is our heritage!

II. THE COASTWISE LIGHTS

Our brows are bound with spindrift and the weed is on our knees.

III. THE SONG OF THE DEAD

Hear now the Song of the Dead—in the North by the torn berg-edges.

IV. THE DEEP-SEA CABLES

The wrecks dissolve above us; their dust drops down from afar.

V. THE SONG OF THE SONS

One from the ends of the earth gifts at an open door.

VI. THE SONGS OF THE CITIES:―

BOMBAY
Royal and Dower-royal, I the Queen.

CALCUTTA
Me the Sea captain loved, the River built.

MADRAS
Clive kissed me on the mouth and eyes and brow.

RANGOON
Hail, Mother! Do they call me rich in trade?

SINGAPORE
Hail, Mother! East and West must seek my aid.

HONG KONG
Hail, Mother! Hold me fast: my Praya sleeps.

HALIFAX
Into the mist my guardian prows put forth.

QUEBEC AND MONTREAL
Peace is our portion. Yet a whisper rose.

VICTORIA
From East to West the circling word has passed.

CAPETOWN
Hail! Snatched and bartered oft from hand to hand.

MELBOURNE
Greeting! Nor fear nor favour won us place.

SYDNEY
Greeting! My birth-stain have I turned to good.

BRISBANE
The northern stirp beneath the southern skies.

HOBART
Man's love first found me; man's hate made me Hell.

AUCKLAND
Last, loneliest, loveliest, exquisite, apart.

VII. ENGLAND'S ANSWER

Truly ye come of The Blood; slower to bless than to ban.