O Britain! dearer far than life is dear,[AW] If one there be 140 Of all thy progeny[95] Who can forget thy prowess, never more Be that[96] ungrateful Son allowed to hear Thy green leaves rustle or thy torrents roar. As springs the lion from his den, 145 As from a forest-brake Upstarts a glistering snake, The bold Arch-despot re-appeared;[97][AX]--again Wide Europe heaves, impatient to be cast, With all her armèd Powers, 150 On that offensive soil, like waves upon a thousand shores.[98] The trumpet blew a universal blast![AY] But Thou art foremost in the field:[AZ]--there stand: Receive the triumph destined to thy hand! All States have glorified themselves;--their claims 155 Are weighed by Providence, in balance even; And now, in preference to the mightiest names, To Thee the exterminating sword[99] is given. Dread mark of approbation, justly gained! Exalted office, worthily sustained! 160 IX Preserve, O Lord! within our hearts The memory of thy favour, That else insensibly departs, And loses its sweet savour! Lodge it within us!--as the power of light 165 Lives inexhaustibly in precious gems, Fixed on the front of Eastern diadems, So shine our thankfulness for ever bright! What offering, what transcendent monument Shall our sincerity to Thee present? 170 --Not work of hands; but trophies that may reach To highest Heaven--the labour of the Soul; That builds, as thy unerring precepts teach, Upon the internal conquests made by each,[100] Her hope of lasting glory for the whole. 175 Yet will not heaven disown nor earth gainsay[101] The outward service of this day; Whether the worshippers entreat Forgiveness from God's mercy-seat; Or thanks and praises to His throne ascend 180 That He has[102] brought our warfare to an end, And that we need no second[103] victory!--[BA] Ha! what a ghastly sight for man to see; And to the heavenly saints in peace who dwell, For a brief moment, terrible; 185 But, to thy sovereign penetration, fair, Before whom all things are, that were, All judgments that have been, or e'er shall be; Links in the chain of thy tranquillity! Along the bosom of this favoured Nation, 190 Breathe Thou, this day, a vital undulation! Let all who do this land inherit Be conscious of thy moving spirit! Oh, 'tis a goodly Ordinance,--the sight, Though sprung from bleeding war, is one of pure delight; 195 Bless Thou the hour, or ere the hour arrive, When a whole people shall kneel down in prayer,