Poems (Vadlan)/Britannia

by Elaine Vadlan

BRITANNIA
(A Dialogue)

Britannia:
Here arrayed in glorious vesture
I do myself behold:
While raging round with deadly lustre,
The battle-fields unfold:
They fain would turn me cold,
But ever and anon,
In trumpets call and fiery clash of steel,
The guns boom and peal.
I must not halt, fall back, I dare not,
Where duty calls, its battles must be fought;
To whom shall I turn for aid?
O help me one and all,
This is your country's call!

Agriculturist:
Heardst I a cry as from a distant shore;
Hark! it comes more and more,
It bids me hasten o'er the briny wave,
'Tis Britain's call who would her people save.
Alas! I cannot go,
But with true service and a willing hand,
My fields shall yield the crops at harvest due
To supply her demand.

Capitalist:
What sounded in my ear, so loud and clear?
Millions of children's tongues,
Whose clamour crossed with wind and wave,
That those with plenty still could save,
If heart and will so minded.
Who folds these children to her breast
And guards them with her country's best?
'Tis Britain, she now calls.
O, dare I pass that pleading gaze
Which binds me to Her side,
I'll let my purse-strings loose
For Her unstinted use
Shall be forth-coming:
Here Britannia, accept my money store.
I cannot go, but, help to Thee I'll pour,
Till all is o'er beyond the swelling tide.

Workman
At my work in many places,
Different dresses have I worn;
Now my eye with anguish raises,
When it knows, that priceless gore
Has been. is and will be spilled
On the alien shore.
To Thee, Britain, I will answer,
Since Thy cause is just and right:
Work unceasing, time unbounded
Shall aid Thy conquering fight,
Fight for freedom, fight for honor,
Bursts forth from Thy lips;
Blocked by home-ties, yet more fonder
Work for Thee'll not lose its grip.
Ever stronger, working longer,
Take it might and main
Until lost is battle's pain.

Woman:
My eyes are dry to-day,
My soldier boy's away:
To answer Thee. my Britain, when Thou call'st,
He heard the whispered sigh,
He heard the maddening cry,
He waited not in parting
But bid me fond good-bye.
My word now back I send,
As to a kind. dear friend
Is that my all, my treasure,
All my joy and pleasure
Is in Thy battle-line
Braving tide and time.

Britannia
My heart tho streaming
With its death-like struggle
Which round enfolds,
Is soothed from half its trouble
By truly, noble souls,
Bulwarks of my kingdom,
All praise be thine
Duty crowned with patriot's love-light
Shall remain a diadem;
And the honour of our homeland
Ever bright and fair shall be;
When our heroes, home returning
Freedom gained, our loved flag free.