<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">Our Men</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line"><span class="smallcaps">Our</span> men, they are our stronghold,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Our bastioned wall unscaled,</p><p class="line">Who, against Hate and Wrong, hold</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">This Realm that never quailed;</p><p class="line">Who bear the noblest burden</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Life lays on shoulders broad,</p><p class="line">Asking not fame or guerdon,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Asking not gold or laud.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">They go where England speeds them;</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">They laugh and jest at Fate.</p><p class="line">They go where England needs them</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">And dream not they are great,</p><p class="line">And oft, 'mid smoke and smother</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">By blinding warstorm fanned</p><p class="line">Sons of our mighty Mother,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">They fall that she may stand.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Our sailors, save when sleeping</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">The light sleep of the sea,</p><p class="line">Their ancient watch are keeping,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Mother, for thine and thee!</p><p class="line">They guard thy maiden daughters</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">From worse than death or pain;</p><p class="line">The men who ward the waters,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">The men who man the main.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">When navies meet and wrestle,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">And their vast arms strike home --</p><p class="line">Vessel with monstrous vessel</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Matched on the flame-lit foam --</p><p class="line">What fleet returns in glory?</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">What fleet makes haste to fly?</p><p class="line">O Sea, that knowest our story,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Thou, thou canst best reply!</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Then hail to all who gave us</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Their might of arm and soul,</p><p class="line">Hot and athirst to save us,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">To heal, and keep us whole;</p><p class="line">Whether they serve where yonder</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Far-burrowing trenches run,</p><p class="line">Or where the ocean thunder</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Peals with the thundering gun.</p></div><p class="byline">-- William Watson.</p></body></html> · Great War