<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">The War Cry</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line"><span class="smallcaps">Grim</span> the struggle we've to face!</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Setting now our task about,</p><p class="line">As becomes our name and race,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Grimly we must fight it out.</p><p class="line">Not elated, not depressed,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Equanimity our rule;</p><p class="line">Through all happenings self-possessed,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Silent, strong, determined, cool.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Came the challenge from the foe;</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Naught we did to court this fight;</p><p class="line">But since they will have it so,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Let them have -- what they invite.</p><p class="line">For a Europe's flouted laws</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">We the sword reluctant drew,</p><p class="line">Righteous in a righteous cause:</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Britons, we must see it through.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Wooden walls once held these strands</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Safe from every foe that came.</p><p class="line">Times are changed; but now our land's</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Iron walls shall do the same.</p><p class="line">Times are changed -- our sailors, nay!</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">What their sea-sires were they are.</p><p class="line">Drake's and Nelson's heart to-day</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Beats in every British tar.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">While they range the Northern deep,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Lies our sea-girt isle secure;</p><p class="line">Britain's honour's theirs to keep</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Trust we them to keep it sure.</p><p class="line">What though random mine shall deal</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Here and there its dastard blow,</p><p class="line">They'll avenge each shattered keel</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Twice, thrice over, on the foe.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">Came the challenge from the foe;</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%"><em>Naught we did to court this fight;</em></p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">But since they will have it so,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%"><em>Let them have -- what they invite.</em></p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">For a Europe's flouted laws</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%"><em>We the sword reluctant drew, </em></p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">Righteous in a righteous cause:</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%"><em>Britons, we WILL see it through!</em></p></div><p class="byline">R. M. FREEMAN</p><em>Truth, August</em> 12, 1914</body></html> · Great War