<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">Evening Prayer of a People</h1><h1 align="center" class="head">Sunday, August 9, 1914</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line"><span class="smallcaps">Lord</span>, from this storm-awakened isle,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">At this dark hour on land and sea,</p><p class="line">'Twixt bugle-call and Sabbath bell</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Go up our prayers to Thee.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">For the long years of sanctuary</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">We tender thanks, O Lord!</p><p class="line">For peaceful fields and sacred hearths,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">And the unused sword.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Thine be the praise! And now when quakes</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">The world, and trials come,</p><p class="line">O God! preserve inviolate</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Our ancient island Home!</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">O! had we died untried, unproved,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">And missed this hour of stress! --</p><p class="line">Praise be to God for this last gift,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">The joy of steadfastness!</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Where'er our people be to-night,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Our husbands or our sons,</p><p class="line">Tossed on the thunder-bolted deep,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Or bivouacked by the guns;</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Treading the mire of foreign lands,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Or guarding our native coasts,</p><p class="line">Be Thou their Shield and Comforter,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">We pray Thee, God of Hosts!</p></div><p class="byline">NEIL MUNRO</p><em>Glasgow Evening News, August</em> 9, 1914</body></html> · Great War