'FOR NELSON’S SAKE.’

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 48, 26 November 1892, Page 1164

'FOR NELSON’S SAKE.’

H.M.S. FOUDKOYANT. (SOLD TO THE GERMANS FOR A THOUSAND POUNDS.) Who says the Nation’s purse is lean, Who fears for claim or bond or debt, When all the glories that have been, Are scheduled as a cash asset ? If times are black and trade is slack, If coal and cotton fail at last, We’ve something left to barter yet— Our glorious past. There’s many a lot in which lies hid The dust of Statesman or of King ; There’s Shakespeare’s home to raise a bid, And Milton’s house its price would bring. What for the sword that Cromwell drew ? What for the Prince’s coat of mail? What for onr Saxon Alfred’s tomb? They’re all for sale t And stone and marble may be sold, Which serve no present daily need. There’s Edward’s Windsor, labelled old, And Wolsey’s Palace, guaranteed, St. Clement Dane’s and thirty fanes, The Tower and the Temple grounds, How much for these? Just price them, please, In British pounds. You hucksters, have you still to learn The things that money will not buy? Can you not read that, cold and stern As we may be, there still does lie Deep in our hearts a hungry love For what concerns our island story ? We sell our work—perchance our lives— But not our glory. Go, barter to the knacker’s yard The steed that has outlived its time I Send hungry to the pauper’s ward The man who served you in his prime ! But when you touch the Nation's store, Be broad your mind and tight your grip. Take heed ! And bring us back once more Our Nelson’s ship.

A Conan Doyle.