<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="" class="head">Our Men</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line">OUR men, they are our stronghold,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">Our bastioned wall unscaled,</p><p class="line">Who, against Hate and Wrong, hold</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">This Realm that never quailed ;</p><p class="line">Who bear the noblest burden</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">Life lays on shoulders broad,</p><p class="line">Asking not fame or guerdon,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">Asking not gold or laud.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">They go where England speeds them ;</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">They laugh and jest at Fate.</p><p class="line">They go where England needs them,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">And dream not they are great,</p><p class="line">And oft,'mid smoke and smother</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">By blinding warstorm fanned,</p><p class="line">Sons of our mighty Mother,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">They fall that she may stand.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Our sailors, save when sleeping</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">The light sleep of the sea,</p><p class="line">Their ancient watch are keeping,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">Mother, for thine and thee!</p><p class="line">They guard thy maiden daughters</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">From worse than death or pain ;</p><p class="line">The men who ward the waters,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">The men who man the main.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">When navies meet and wrestle,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">And their vast arms strike home--</p><p class="line">Vessel with monstrous vessel</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">Matched on the flame-lit foam--</p><p class="line">What fleet returns in glory ?</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">What fleet makes haste to fly ?</p><p class="line">O Sea, that knowest our story,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">Thou, thou canst best reply !</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Then hail to all who gave us</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">Their might of arm and soul,</p><p class="line">Hot and athirst to save us,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">To heal, and keep us whole ;</p><p class="line">Whether they serve where yonder</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">Far-burrowing trenches run,</p><p class="line">Or where the ocean thunder</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">Peals with the thundering gun.</p></div></body></html> · Great War