WELCOME TO THE AMERICAN FLEET.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 9, 26 August 1908, Page 43

WELCOME TO THE AMERICAN FLEET.

tflic outward shield of all your inward grace — Your armament upon our sea to-day Is here from havens half a world away, (And in the shelter of this sea-bound place .jVe speak the same tongue, standing face to face, And make you welcome in your might’s array. Yes, we salute you; we, who speak the tongue Of him who trod Virginia long ago, (When England's glory on the waves did flow (Far out, like sunbeams of the morning flung, And life was narrow and the world was young, (While thoughts of men in splendid dreams did grow. Yet not more splendid than has been revealed — iYct not so great, that time could not unfold Hope dearer than the trustless dream of gold. It, asking Freedom, Fate could never yield In hedge-bound confines of an English field, Flew with the sunset, where the waters rolled. And found a region marvellous and new. Where Nature reigned defiant and austere, That might have crushed a weaker race with fear, Ilian those strong Pilgrims, great of heart and thew, And brave like Standish —like Priscilla true, ■Whose faith and works we cherish and revere. And Freedom found its heritage of drcams, Where lay no net of Custom for its feet. And felt the darkness from its path retreat; And saw the morning turn with golden beams Earth into heaven, that she sometimes seems, When fair Fulfilment makes our lives complete.

Yet, evermore from England's teeming ways Our race had come with freedom for its boast. And built its cities up and down the coast, By rivers’ mouths and lordly sheltering bays; And you, the heirs of all those strenuous days, Of all our guests, shall share our bounty most. And State by State grew north and south and west —• The English Empire widening over sea, — Her first great strides in outward destiny. To all the world of Europe manifest, And drew brave children from her crowded breast, Who heard the elarion-call of Liberty. Old England was a younger mother then, . With heart too narrow for the needs of Youth, And soul too sealed by Custom for the Truth; Else could she harken to her wisest, when They saw estrangement in a freer men, Through her exactions and her modes uncouth. “The King is dead, but Io! the Heir is born!” So has it been and will be to the end. God never meant, that hearts of men should bend To breaking point, through cruelty and scorn, But rise triumphant, on some fateful morn, And all their hopes, exultantly, transcend. And thus, to-day, were honoured with your fame, — You’re onward march of freedom, and we feel, In these, your deadly battleships of steel, With lightning and with thunder bound and tame, Peace, more than strife, they symbol and acclaim. These guardians of your mighty Commonweal.

What do they guard? What strength and sweetness, they Shield with their silence on the laughing tide? A splendid fabric of a nation’s pride! In one with Right and Wrong, as all display, But strong with threads, that none may well gainsay, Wrought with hearts’ blood and destined to abide. For high achievements do we hold you great. And feel the honour thus to clasp your hand With truest kinship, you may understand, And give you welcome, and unbar the gate, And bid you enter, while we demonstrate An English greeting in a southern land. 11. YOUNG. Auckland. A SONG OF WELCOME. Unsurpassed in beauty, Are Hauraki’s isles; Whether wintry seas run high, And the white gulls inlaaid lly. Or the sun-kissed beaches gleam Fair as isles of lotus dream, ’Neath the drowsy azure sky, And glad summer smiles. See the great Armada, To our coast she swings, Where the mist-wreathed islands lie, Where the scudding cloud-drifts fly, Where the great white combers roar Grim defiance to the shore; Heeding not she draweth nigh, And our welcome rings. Welcome to thee, brothers: By our flags unfurled Let us honour thee to-day, While within our gates ye stay. Is it naught that ye should roam To our rugged island home, Wandering down the water-way To the outer world? Perils of the steam-tube, Breakers on the lee: Haply we will never know All that ye did undergo.

Seaboards of a continent Know the watches that ys spent, Struggling with man’s ancient foe. Unconquerable Sea. Britons were your fathers, We arc British bred. Blood of our blood must ye be In the coming history; When the Hydra-headed beast, Slowly rising in the East, Turns it eyes upon the sea, And its fangs are red. Memories of sea-ki"gs. Singing as they died; Viking visions, how they rise, Quickening hearts and dimming eyes. May the splendid heritage Of that grim heroic age Yielding naught to compromise. Ever with you bide. Rangitoto recks not What the war-god plans, Calmly watching, passion spent, With her great sides torn and rent. Sphinx-like keeper of our gates. Crouching low, she waits and waits — Type of Nature’s forces pent, As ye are of Man’s. Gaily drop your anchors Sea dogs on the chain. Strong in peace, ye will be free When our common def-tiny Bids the Anglo-Saxon race Guard her well-won pride of place. Undisturbed supremacy Of the world-wide main. R. H. ASHCROFT, Mt. Eden.