Rejoice, whatever anguish rend your heart, That God has given you, for a priceless dower, To live in these great times and have your part In Freedom's crowning hour; That you may tell your sons who see the light High in the heavens, their heritage to take:-- "I saw the powers of darkness put to flight! I saw the morning break!" SIR OWEN SEAMAN _By permission of the Author_ THE VIGIL (This poem was first published before 1914, but during the Great War it was very widely quoted, the refrain voicing the spirit of England.) 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. Hast thou counted up the cost, What to foeman, what to friend? Glory sought is Honour lost, How should this be knighthood's end? Know'st thou what is Hatred's meed? What the surest gain of Greed? England! wilt thou dare 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 trumpets 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! SIR HENRY NEWBOLT _By permission of the Author_ THE HOUR We've shut the gates by Dover Straits, And North, where the tides run free, Cheek by jowl, our watchdogs prowl, Gray hulks in a grayer sea. And the prayer that England prays to-night-- O Lord of our destiny!-- As the foam of our plunging prows, is white; We have stood for peace, and we war for right. God give us victory! Now slack, now strung, from the mainmast flung, The flag throbs fast in the breeze; Strained o'er the foam, like the hearts at home That beat for their sons on the seas. For mothers and wives are praying to-night-- O Lord of our destiny!-- But we've no time, for our lips are tight, Our fists are clenched, and we're stripped to fight. God give us victory!