"A Prayer Imperial,”

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIII, Issue XIX, 5 November 1904, Page 44

"A Prayer Imperial,”

(On the North Sea Incident oi October, 1904.) ' Vj ’’ O God of battles, hear us! If it be That, in the bloody hands of rccklefat foes The war-sword gleam unsheathed, and on Thy seas The thunder of their guns’ defiant roll, Then in Thy justice prosper right! Oh! Sec how from their crimsoned. ' decks, shot-torn. Our murdered fishers look, with sightless eyes. Up to Thy Heaven, in piteous appeal /.gainst the wanton savage! Oh, look down. And in Thy mercy hear the gath'ring cry That rises loud from ev’ry lonely sea, And ev’ry isle Thou gavest to our care. And give ue strength, and with Thy strong right arm Guide Thou our fleets to issues glorious ! O God of battles, hear! Not we alone, Not we alone, beseech!—from every ae» And every land, from pole to distant pole, The scattered graves of all our mighty dead. Who gave their lives for Empire, cry aloud—Imploring vengeance swift on that wild horde That, steeping half the world in blood, would wrest The sacred flag of freedom from our hand! And not in pride this cry! Courage, we have To bear the shocks of war; and hissing shells. And all the tumult fierce of blood and fire. E'en death itself we scorn—at Duty’s ' call! And, greatlier prized than Peace, our Honour clear We would maintain, and all our peoples cry With voice unanimous on Thee for aid. Anil, if it be that, with the caution’s roar. The wail of widowed mothers, son-ber-eft. Shall rise from off the battle-shaken earth. Then give us patience! give endurance meet Eor our high destiny! That even he. Our Nelson, whose great soul breathes still Through all our Nation’s Being, even he Might look approval on our sailors’ deeds; And know that it was not in vain he led Their fathers in the haloed days of old, A hundred times, to feats whereof the tale Shall never be forgot, while on Thy seas Beat British hearts in British seamen’s breasts, And on her shores—world-separate, yet one —• Great deeds are loved for noble ends well done! tt.G.