II.—THIS EMPIRE.

New Zealand Illustrated Magazine, Volume VIII, Issue 5, 1 August 1903, Page 379

lI.— THIS EMPIRE.

Blood of the Norse Jind Viking; sinew of moor and fen; Brain of the priest and poet; spirit of sword and pen ! Lions of strength uud daring ; chivalrous sons of peace, Learning with patient effort all that the world can teach. Martyrs of Science and Healing ; workers with brain and hand ; Building a mighty nation in many a far-off land ; Till, like the branching coral, from under the ve ; ling sea, Rises a solid foundation of Kingdoms that are to be ! These are the Builders of Empire ; heroes of deeds sublime ; Gems of a nations guarding; Stars in the night of Time! Vast are thy wide Dominions, King of an ancient Race ! Son of a noble Empress, great is thy pride of place ! All that a wise world treasures — all that a rich world flings, Prodigal-handed, lavish — into the laps of kings; Treasures of wealth and learning, treasures of land and sea, Victory, Fame, Dominion. Power, and Suzereignty! But better than vast possessions, greater than power or wealth ; The blessing of Love and Wisdom; the culture of peace and health; The light of invention and Knowledge; the spread of enlightened Truth ; The love and care of the helpless; the growing of peace and ruth; This is the Empire's greatness ; and, while the round world shall be, That Empire shall grow, that hath its roots in the Love of Humanity. And we are the Keepers of Empire ! Each has his part to play, In the great drama of Right and Wrong that's played in the world to-day. Statesman, civilian, soldier, from greatest unto the least, Show Honesty, Trust, and Honour, and mercy to man and beast ! Where'er is a "wrong to be rightsd, where'er a slave to be freed, Let England hear, and the Empire will help in the time of need.

Keep her white shield unsullied, keep her great Flag untorn, Keep bright the name of our Saxon King, and the Queen that is dead and gone ! Keep alive in your children's hearts the pride of the British Race, That Loyalty, Trust, and Honour are better than pelf or place! That half the world over flies our flag ; and wherever that flag's unfurled, Justice, Mercy, and healing shall go to the uttermost parts of the world ! Scions of ancient Sceptres, Rulers of realms sublime, See what Time's Heritage brings us, here in the noon of Time ! Dynasties of the Old World : Egypt, and Rome, and Greece, Yours was the Night of Conquest, ours is the Day of Peace ! Cruelty, Lust, and Slaughter; Carnage, Fire, and Sword, — By these and the Right of Might,— -by these ye were King and Lord ! But we have the wisdom of ages; for greater than sword or pen, Is the Kingdom of Love, and the Empire that dwells in the Hearts of Men. Hark ! from the dawn of History ! Hark, from the later days, The Army of great Immortals joins in the song of praise ! From hushed dim halls of the ghostly Dead, with silent feet they come, With blaring of soundless trumpets, with beating of voiceless drum ! Heroes of dim, dead ages ! Dust of immortal kings ! Shout in your vast Valhalla! Sing with a world that sings! Black in the heart of the mountain the diamond lies asleep, Sepulchre-shelled, the lustrous pearl hides in the mighty deep, — But both gather glory as time goes by, shall shine with an added ray ; And so shall the glory of bygone kings burn bright in our crown to-day. Heroes of dim dead ages! Dust of immortal Kings! Shout in your vast Valhalla ! Sing with a world that sings ! For here is the world ye sighed for; the Empire ye began; The Grod-like Freedom that wraps the world, and dwells in the heart of Man.