<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="" class="head">Sons of Britain</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line">SONS of her who keeps her faith unbroken,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">Her who gave you might of limb and nerve,</p><p class="line">Her whose service--be it devoutly spoken--</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">Perfect freedom is, for all who serve :</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Her who gave you dower of iron sinew,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">Her who made you strong and fleet and brave--</p><p class="line">Give her all the manhood that is in you :</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">'Tis the royal gift her own hands gave.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">England's safety--England's dearer honour--</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">Both forbid that you should halt and wait</p><p class="line">Till the enemy be indeed upon her,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">He who vaunts and flaunts him at her gate.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Heed not overmuch when she is slandered;</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">Yours to guard her from a Bully's blow :</p><p class="line">Yours to rise, and rally to her standard:</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">Yours to arm, and face the brutal foe.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Would you sit at home, and watch and ponder,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">While the warriors agonise and dare ?</p><p class="line">Here for you is shame, but glory yonder:</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">Choose the glory--yea, a hero's share.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Then, though darksome be the hour, and grievous,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">You shall make it great and splendid too,</p><p class="line">And her love who bore and did conceive us</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">Shall for ever crown your deeds and you.</p></div></body></html> · Great War