I BRITONS! salute the rising sun, The murky clouds of night are riven, While thro' the Eastern gate the dawn O'erflows the saffron fields of heaven. II High as that great imperial orb The passion of our lives is set— To further Peace, and to absorb The Light whose beams scarce reach us yet. III The Light that quickens to the free, That hurleth Ignorance afar! Whose sister-soul is Liberty, Whilst Truth and Love her handmaids are. IV The Light that in a Briton's breast, Once kindled, glows with steadfast fire; That will not let his spirit rest Till Justice all men's hearts inspire. V The Light that led him forth to fare Thro' unknown wilds and untrod ways, That speeds his footsteps everywhere Till the fulfilment of his days. VI That gave him kingdoms for his own And all the highways of the deep; In temperate or in torrid zone That ancient Power its watch doth keep. VII These realms were given to him in trust, To hold for men of every land. He knows his Empire is but dust, And so he takes it from God's hand— VIII Till the fulfilling of the Law, Till Truth prevail and Valour save, Until the Light shall overawe And bind the Darkness in its cave. IX Sons of the Free! salute the Dawn, Salute the flag to Faith unfurl'd; For England's sword was never drawn Save for the Freedom of the World! |