THE ARMADA.
59
Still the sea that salutes us free proclaims them stricken,
acclaims thee crowned.
Times may change, and the skies grow strange with signs
of treason and fraud and fear:
Foes in union of strange communion may rise against
thee from far and near:
Sloth and greed on thy strength may feed as cankers
waxing from year to year.
Yet, though treason and fierce unreason should league
and lie and defame and smite,
We that know thee, how far below thee the hatred burns
of the sons of night,
We that love thee, behold above thee the witness written
of life in light.
Life that shines from thee shows forth signs that none
may read not but eyeless foes:
Hate, born blind, in his abject mind grows hopeful now
but as madness grows:
