THINE was no pedant's zeal: the Mother-tongue

Taught thee high dictates of thy Fatherland,

The call no patriot-heart can e'er withstand

Tore thee from lays by ancient poets sung.

Well didst thou learn the lore, to thee endear'd,

Of that young warrior who with dragons fought

And conquer'd-steadfast, selfless, unafear'd

"Better is Death than Life with self-scorn fraught."

Not less thy courage, though thy scholar-soul

Illum'd thy trench with mystic runes-the hope

That solac'd in his plight our oldest ScôÙp

Whose song is wrought on Britain's golden scroll.

No greater meed wouldst thou, no prouder fame:

In "Albion's England" is enshrined thy name!