284 CORY
cx SCHOOL FENCIBLES
WE come in arms, we stand ten score,
Embattled on the castle green; We grasp our firelocks tight, for war
Is threatening, and we see our Queen, And 'Will the churls last out till we
Have duly hardened bones and thews For scouring leagues of swamp and sea
Of braggart mobs and corsair crews? ' We ask; we fear not scoff or smile
At meek attire of blue and grey, For the proud wrath that thrills our isle
Gives faith and force to this array. So great a charm is England's right,
That hearts enlarged together flow, And each man rises up a knight
To work the evil-thinkers woe. And, girt with ancient truth and grace,
We do our service and our suit, And each can be, whate'er his race,
A Chandos or a Montacute. Thou, Mistress, whom we serve to-day,
Bless the real swords that we shall wield, Repeat the call we now obey
In sunset lands, on some fair field. Thy flag shall make some Huron rock
As dear to us as Windsor's keep, And arms thy Thames hath nerved shall mock
The surgings of th' Ontarian deep.
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