A Song of the English

Came the Whisper, came the Vision, came the Power with the Need, Till the Soul that is not man's soul was lent us to lead. I. A SONG OF THE ENGLISH Fair is our lot—O goodly is our heritage! II. THE COASTWISE LIGHTS Our brows are bound with spindrift and the weed is on our knees. III. THE SONG OF THE DEAD Hear now the Song of the Dead—in the North by the torn berg-edges. IV. THE DEEP-SEA CABLES The wrecks dissolve above us; their dust drops down from afar. V. THE SONG OF THE SONS One from the ends of the earth gifts at an open door. VI. THE SONGS OF THE CITIES:― BOMBAY Royal and Dower-royal, I the Queen. CALCUTTA Me the Sea captain loved, the River built. MADRAS Clive kissed me on the mouth and eyes and brow. RANGOON Hail, Mother! Do they call me rich in trade? SINGAPORE Hail, Mother! East and West must seek my aid. HONG KONG Hail, Mother! Hold me fast: my Praya sleeps. HALIFAX Into the mist my guardian prows put forth. QUEBEC AND MONTREAL Peace is our portion. Yet a whisper rose. VICTORIA From East to West the circling word has passed. CAPETOWN Hail! Snatched and bartered oft from hand to hand. MELBOURNE Greeting! Nor fear nor favour won us place. SYDNEY Greeting! My birth-stain have I turned to good. BRISBANE The northern stirp beneath the southern skies. HOBART Man's love first found me; man's hate made me Hell. AUCKLAND Last, loneliest, loveliest, exquisite, apart. VII. ENGLAND'S ANSWER Truly ye come of The Blood; slower to bless than to ban.