<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="" class="head">Ex Unitate Vires ("Let Us Take Hands")</h1><h1 align="smallcaps" class="head">An Ode in Commemoration of the Federation of the South African States</h1><h1 align="" class="head">i</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line">LET us take hands!</p><p class="line">Our fatherlands</p><p class="line">Were neighbours on the Northern Sea;</p><p class="line">Our cliffs looked out upon your sands,</p><p class="line">Our Thames adjoined your Zuyder Zee;</p><p class="line">Between us now no barrier stands,</p><p class="line">Old comrades and old neighbours we,</p><p class="line">Let us take hands!</p><p class="line">Briton or Boer--what matters name?</p><p class="line">Steady of purpose, strong of deed,</p><p class="line">Of Teuton breed</p><p class="line">Our fathers came.</p><p class="line">We are their seed,</p><p class="line">We hold their creed,</p><p class="line">We share their fortune, and their fame.</p><p class="line">Akin in blood, and speech, and faith,</p><p class="line">Why should we work each other scathe?</p><p class="line">We both are brave, we both are free,</p><p class="line">Shall we not friends and comrades be?</p><p class="line">Let us take hands!</p></div><h1 align="" class="head">ii</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Only a fool</p><p class="line">Would think to rule</p><p class="line">By force of fear, by dint of hate;</p><p class="line">Surely the Lord</p><p class="line">Will break his sword</p><p class="line">Who by a sword would rule a state.</p><p class="line">On every kopje, every hill,</p><p class="line">The flag of freedom is unfurled;</p><p class="line">Here, hand in hand, we must fulfil</p><p class="line">A dual destiny in the world.</p><p class="line">Singly we neither can prevail;</p><p class="line">We twain are kin.</p><p class="line">And both must win,</p><p class="line">Or both must fail.</p><p class="line">We both have won; we both have lost,</p><p class="line">With equal shame, at equal cost,</p><p class="line">Let us take hands!</p></div><h1 align="" class="head">iii</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Shall not our hearts confederate conspire,</p><p class="line">Shall not our wills be wed in one desire,</p><p class="line">Out of two kindred peoples to create</p><p class="line">One nation wise, and prosperous, and great?</p><p class="line">Let us be friends,</p><p class="line">Working for noble ends,</p><p class="line">Let us be one in spirit and estate!</p></div><h1 align="" class="head">iv</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Now that the Oath of Brotherhood we swear,</p><p class="line">Now that our hearts are one,</p><p class="line">The veld which lies so desolate and bare</p><p class="line">Will blossom into cities white and fair,</p><p class="line">And pinnacles will pierce the desert air,</p><p class="line">And sparkle in the sun.</p><p class="line">Now that the Oath of Brotherhood we swear,</p><p class="line">Now that our hearts are one,</p><p class="line">Surely a land so prodigal and broad</p><p class="line">Will grow a very garden-land of God;</p><p class="line">Surely the realm a realm of love will be.</p><p class="line">Let us take hands</p><p class="line">Whose fatherlands</p><p class="line">Were neighbours by the Northern Sea!</p></div></body></html> · Great War