Page:Poems, new and old (IA poemsnewold00newb).pdf/76
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The Service
The British Navy—all our years have been
Strong in the pride of it, secure, serene.
But who, remembering wars of long ago,
Knew what to our Sea-walls we yet should owe?
Who thought to see the hand of shameless shame
With scraps of paper set the world aflame,
Barbarian hordes upon a neighbouring coast
Rape, massacre, enslave, blaspheme and boast,
And savage monsters, lurking under sea,
Murder the wives and children of the free?
If in this battle with a power accurst
We have risked all and yet escaped the worst,
Thanks be to those who gave us ships and guns
When generous folly still would trust in Huns;
Thanks be to those who trained upon the deep
The valour and the skill that never sleep;
Thanks above all to those who fight our fight
For Britain's honour and for all men's right.
Strong in the pride of it, secure, serene.
But who, remembering wars of long ago,
Knew what to our Sea-walls we yet should owe?
Who thought to see the hand of shameless shame
With scraps of paper set the world aflame,
Barbarian hordes upon a neighbouring coast
Rape, massacre, enslave, blaspheme and boast,
And savage monsters, lurking under sea,
Murder the wives and children of the free?
If in this battle with a power accurst
We have risked all and yet escaped the worst,
Thanks be to those who gave us ships and guns
When generous folly still would trust in Huns;
Thanks be to those who trained upon the deep
The valour and the skill that never sleep;
Thanks above all to those who fight our fight
For Britain's honour and for all men's right.
And now away! away! put off with me
From this dear island to the open sea:
Enter those floating ramparts on the foam
Where exiled seamen guard their long-lost home:
Enter and ask—except of child or wife—
Ask the whole secret of their ordered life.
From this dear island to the open sea:
Enter those floating ramparts on the foam
Where exiled seamen guard their long-lost home:
Enter and ask—except of child or wife—
Ask the whole secret of their ordered life.
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