Hymn before Action _Rudyard Kipling_ 37 Hymn in War Time _Robert Bridges_ 39 "WAKE UP, ENGLAND" Thou careless, awake! Thou peacemaker, fight! Stand, England, for honour, And God guard the Right! Thy mirth lay aside, Thy cavil and play: The foe is upon thee, And grave is the day. The monarch Ambition Hath harnessed his slaves; But the folk of the Ocean Are free as the waves. For Peace thou art armed Thy Freedom to hold: Thy Courage as iron, Thy Good-faith as gold. Through Fire, Air, and Water Thy trial must be: But they that love life best Die gladly for thee. The Love of their mothers Is strong to command; The fame of their fathers Is might to their hand. Much suffering shall cleanse thee; But thou through the flood Shalt win to Salvation, To Beauty through blood. * * * * * Up, careless, awake! Ye peacemakers, fight! ENGLAND STANDS FOR HONOUR: GOD DEFEND THE RIGHT! ROBERT BRIDGES, _Poet Laureate_ THE VIGIL England! where the sacred flame Burns before the inmost shrine, Where the lips that love thy name Consecrate their hopes and thine, Where the banners of thy dead Weave their shadows overhead, Watch beside thine arms to-night, Pray that God defend the Right. Think that when to-morrow comes War shall claim command of all, Thou must hear the roll of drums, Thou must hear the trumpet's call. Now before they silence ruth, Commune with the voice of truth; England! on thy knees to-night Pray that God defend the Right. Single-hearted, unafraid, Hither all thy heroes came, On this altar's steps were laid Gordon's life and Outram's fame. England! if thy will be yet By their great example set, Here beside thine arms to-night Pray that God defend the Right. So shalt thou when morning comes Rise to conquer or to fall, Joyful hear the rolling drums, Joyful hear the trumpet's call. Then let memory tell thy heart; "_England! what thou wert, thou art!_" Gird thee with thine ancient might, Forth! and God defend the Right! HENRY NEWBOLT TO THE TROUBLER OF THE WORLD