Page:A midsummer holiday and other poems (IA midsummerholiday00swin).pdf/181

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
A WORD FOR THE NATION.
169

iii.

The lips are wise and loyal,

The hearts are brave and true,
Imperial thoughts and royal
Make strong the clamorous crew,
Whence louder and prouder the noise of defiance
Rings rage from the grave of a trustless alliance,
And bids us beware and be warned,
As abhorred of all nations and scorned,
As a swordless and spiritless nation,
A wreck on the waste of the waves.
So foams the released indignation
Of masterless slaves.