ANOTHER venture on Thought's trackless sea, Another bark launched from our Cambrian shore, And once again the summons comes to me For word of welcome, ofttimes said before. For now our country, which so long was dumb, Speaks clear and loud with no uncertain sound; Done are her silent years, her voice is found, And, Babel-like, the eager accents come. Long since, indeed, the unforgotten tongue, The old fair treasure of our native speech, Sweet as the songs by Cymric voices sung, Was eloquent to move, and strong to teach. Long since, our native learning flowed alone, Seen but of kindred eyes and partial souls; To-day through alien realms its course has gone, And now its broader stream majestic rolls Through English plains, and with it seems to bear The freshness of the untrodden snow-clad hills, A quire of youthful voices keen and fair, The blended accents of unnumbered rills. Go, daring bark, upon the wider stream; Go to what hidden end thy fate doth call; Aiding our country's yet imperfect dream; Go, be thy lot to vanquish or to fall! Thou and thy venturous comrades, small and great, Are freighted with our Cambria's hopes and fears; Thou shalt not miss, whate'er the award of Fate, One favouring hand, at least, one voice which cheers. Sail, with Imperial England, round the earth, Using the lordly tongue which sways the Race; But oh! forget not thou the Cymric grace, The snows, the heaven-kissed summits of thy birth! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...IF IT WERE NOT FOR YOU by HAYDEN CARRUTH MOUNTAIN VALLEY by MALCOLM COWLEY |