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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ENGLAND I THE WORLD WAR by EDNA DEAN PROCTOR

First Line: DAUNTLESS, HIGH-HEARTED ENGLAND! 'TWAS THY DAY
Last Line: THIS GLORIOUS WATCH AND WARD WILT THOU FOREGO!
Subject(s): ENGLAND; WORLD WAR I; ENGLISH; FIRST WORLD WAR;

DAUNTLESS, high-hearted England! 'Twas thy day
Of grandeur and of duty. God defied —
Thy neighbors ravaged — Ah! Thou couldst not bide
Cold and apart within the seas at bay!
Thy clarion call rang down the ocean way,
And with one fervor swift thy realm replied —
Australia's valor, India's princely pride,
The strength of Canada in stanch array.
Builder of nations! Nobly dost thou dare
To hold and guard what man has dearly won
Of Freedom, Justice, and his right to share,
Though small and weak, the splendor of the sun;
And not till earth finds rest from wrong and woe
This glorious watch and ward wilt thou forego!



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