<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">Britannia</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line"><span class="smallcaps">Men</span> deemed her changed, and lo!</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">At word of war unveiled,</p><p class="line">She stands, as long ago,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">She stood when Nelson sailed.</p><p class="line">The sea wind in her hair,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">The salt upon her lips,</p><p class="line">Upon the Forelands fair</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">She guards the English ships.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">She watched the Normans land,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">The Golden Hind set sail,</p><p class="line">And, touched as by a hand,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">The great Armada fail.</p><p class="line">She watched the Victory</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Lead out the Fleet to war,</p><p class="line">And o'er the salt blue sea</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Return from Trafalgar.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Men deemed her changed, and lo!</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">She stands unto the end,</p><p class="line">With sword to strike the foe</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">And shield to guard a friend.</p><p class="line">Across the wave she rules</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">That lesson shall be read</p><p class="line">By foemen -- and the fools</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Who dream that Drake is dead.</p></div><p class="byline">H. DE VERE STACPOOLE</p><em>Daily Express, August</em> 7, 1914</body></html> · Great War