VALIANT sons of freedom's land, Ardent, firm, devoted band, Rise, at honour's thrilling call: Warriors, arm! shall Britain fall? Rush, battle-steed, Bleed, soldiers, bleed! For Britain's throne, for glory's meed. Heroes! to the combat fly, Proud to struggle, blest to die; Go! should death your efforts crown Mount the pinions of renown; Go! tell our sires, Their daring fires, Glow in our lofty souls, till life expires Tell them, ne'er shall Britain yield Whilst a hand the sword can wield Tell them, we the strife maintain, Tell them, we defy the chain! In heart the same, In patriot-flame We emulate their brightest fame. Shades of sainted chiefs! be near, Smile on Albion's lifted spear, Point the falchion, guide the car, Flaming through the ranks of war, Rise on the field, With sword and shield, To British eyes in forms of light revealed. Spark of freedom, blaze on high, Wilt thou quiver? shalt thou die? Never, never, holy fire! Mount, irradiate! beam, aspire! Our foes consume, Our swords illume, And chase the dark horizon's gloom. Shall the Roman arms invade Mona's dark and hallowed shade? By the dread, mysterious wand, Waving in the Druid's hand; By every rite, Of Mona's night, Arm, warriors! arm; in sacred cause unite Honour! while thy bands disdain Slavery's dark, debasing chain; Britain! while thy sons are free, Dauntless, faithful, firm for thee, Mona! while at thy command, Ardent bold, sublime, they stand; Proud foes in vain, Prepare the chain, For Albion unsubdued shall reign. Lo! we see a flame divine Blaze o'er Mona's awful shrine! Lo! we hear a voice proclaim "Albion, thine, immortal fame;" Arise, ye brave, To bleed, to save, Though proud in pomp, yon Roman eagles wave. Caesar, come! in tenfold mail, Will thine arms like ours avail? Caesar! let thy falchions blaze, Will they dim fair Freedom's rays? Caesar! boast thy wide control, Canst thou chain th' aspiring soul? What steel can bind, The soaring mind, Free as the light, the wave, the wind! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...I LOVE ALL BEAUTEOUS THINGS by ROBERT SEYMOUR BRIDGES EIGHT O'CLOCK by ALFRED EDWARD HOUSMAN THE SHEPHEARDES CALENDER: DEDICATORY SONNET by EDMUND SPENSER IDYLLS OF THE KING: THE HOLY GRAIL by ALFRED TENNYSON ROSAMOND: KING HENRY'S SONG by JOSEPH ADDISON THE ASS IN THE LION'S SKIN by AESOP BRIDAL SERENADE by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES |