Select Poetry.

Otago Witness, Issue 549, 7 June 1862, Page 7

Select Poetry.

WHAT WILL ENGLAND SAY? By Rusticus, in the Mark Lane Express. When tyrants grasp with firmer hold The bond so tightly binding ■ When mad aggression, growing bold, Some new device is finding ; When despots shadow forth their schemes

Far from the light of day— The whisper haunts them in their dreams, "But what will England say V Ah, what will good old England say — The mighty arbitrator— When slaves for blessed freedom pray, From Arctic to equator ? She looks with pity on the oppressed, And bursts the chains asunder : " Your wrongs," she cries, " shall be redressed." In voice ®f awful thunder ! Ah, what will good old England say, When foes provoke and hate her ; When envy stands upon her way, And strives to irritate her ? .A million hearts with courage glow Within her sacred borders ; A million hands to strike the blow Await her righteous orders. Her mission is to keep the world In balance and subjection : And where her banner is unfurled There must be sure nrofcection. Her enemies may show their teeth, And hate with hate united ; But let her once the sword unsheath, And back they fall affrighted. A beacon on tiie rock she stands, Her light for ever shining ; Her rays are flashed through all the lands, And burn with powers refining ; She keeps the turbid waves in awe, And checks the dread eruption ; Gives tone to senates, courts, and law, And sweeps away corruption. A bulwark and a strong defence, Earth's evils counteracting ; Defending truth aud innocence Where rulers are detracting. Oh, who can estimate her power, Or test her moral sway 1 Long may the world's bad eenius cower At " What will England say?"