<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head"><em>Pro Patria</em></h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line"><span class="smallcaps">England</span>, in this great fight to which you go</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Because, where Honour calls you, go you must,</p><p class="line">Be glad, whatever comes, at least to know</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:6%">You have your quarrel just.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Peace was your care; before the nations' bar</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Her cause you pleaded and her ends you sought;</p><p class="line">But not for her sake, being what you are,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:6%">Could you be bribed and bought.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Others may spurn the pledge of land to land,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">May with the brute sword stain a gallant past;</p><p class="line">But by the seal to which <em>you</em> set your hand,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:6%">Thank God, You still stand fast!</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Forth, then, to front that peril of the deep</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">With smiling lips and in your eyes the light,</p><p class="line">Steadfast and confident, of those who keep</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:6%">Their storied 'scutcheon bright.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">And we, whose burden is to watch and wait, --</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">High-hearted ever, strong in faith and prayer, --</p><p class="line">We ask what offering we may consecrate,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:6%">What humble service share.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">To steel our souls against the lust of ease;</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">To bear in silence though our hearts may bleed;</p><p class="line">To spend ourselves, and never count the cost,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:6%">For others' greater need; --</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">To go our quiet ways, subdued and sane;</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">To hush all vulgar clamour of the street;</p><p class="line">With level calm to face alike the strain</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:6%">Of triumph or defeat;</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">This be our part, for so we serve you best,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">So best confirm their prowess and their pride,</p><p class="line">Your warrior sons, to whom in this high test</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:6%">Our fortunes we confide.</p></div><p class="byline">Owen Seaman</p><p> August 12, 1914 </p></body></html> · Great War