Page:A channel passage and other poems (IA channelpassageot00swinrich).pdf/110

They fear it who hear it
And love not truth nor thee:
They sicken, heart-stricken,
Who see and would not see.

III

The lords of thy fate, and thy keepers

Whose charge is the strength of thy ships,
If now they be dreamers and sleepers,
Or sluggards with lies at their lips,
Thy haters and traitors,
False friends or foes descried,
Might scatter and shatter
Too soon thy princely pride.

IV

Dark Muscovy, reptile in rancour,

Base Germany, blatant in guile,
Lay wait for thee riding at anchor
On waters that whisper and smile.