TO ENGLAND.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 136, 8 June 1907, Page 9

TO ENGLAND.

(A Prayer that she may speak for Peacfc. (By Alfred Noyes, in the ""''Spealier.") Now is thy foot set on the splendid way; Hold this hour fast! Though yet the skies be grey, T.ift up iliv voire lo greet tlie perfect day, Spent. England, speak across the trembling sea! Now is the grandest dawn that ever rose Touching the clouds to glory, the light grows White as a star where thy keen helmet blows. Fronting the morn that makes all nations free. i Speak from thine island throne! Here, ia thy Gate. Now. for thy voice alone, the nations wait: Speak with the heart that made ana keeps thee great, v Speak -4fi_ great jvord ot peace from sea ."- to seta "■ -"" i . ',■'. "i"_ r *-V''T, ' •*■'. The nations wait, scarce knowing what they; nerd; Cold cunning claims their ears for Inst and _reert! The poor and weak, with struggling hands that bleed, Pray to thee now that thou wilt set them free. The poor and weak uplift their manacled hands To thee, onr Mother, our Lady antj Qneen of lands; i Anguished in prayer before thy footstool stands Peace with her white wings glimmerinj o'er the sea. Others may shrink, whose naked frontiers face A million foemen of an alien race; But thou. Imperial, hy thy pride of places, Oh, canst thou falter or fear to set them free? Thou that has dared so many a thunder blast. Is all thy vaunted empery so soon past? First of the first, art thou afraid at last, To hold thy hands out first across the sea? Not for such fears God gave thee thy rich dower, The sea-wrought sceptre and the Imperial power! Ages have shed their blood for this ona hour, That thou mighfst speak and set the whole world free. Thou, thou alone canst speak; thou, thon alone. From the sure citadel of thy rock-bound throne; Trust thy strong heart! Thine island M thine own, Armed with the thunder" and lightning 6C the sea. Fools.prate of pride where butchered legions fall; Feace has one battle prouder than them all (England, on thee our ringing trumpets One battle that shall set the whole world free. Speak, speak and act! The sceptre Is ia thine hand; Proclaim the reign of love from land to! land; Then, come ihe warld against thee, thon shalt stand! Speak, with the world-wide voice of thine own sea.