<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">Mother of Nations</h1><h1 align="center" class="head">Why?</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line"><span class="smallcaps">Does</span> the Mother of Nations draw the sword</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">To rescue her children oppressed?</p><p class="line">They have all that the richest lands afford;</p><p class="line">They sit content at an ample board</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">As safe as a bird in its nest.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Has she laid her spear on the shield of Mars</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">New lands in the wars to gain?</p><p class="line">Her dominions extend wherever the stars</p><p class="line">Are blushing with shame for our foolish wars;</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Her ships are on every main.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">And not that the world may acclaim her grand</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Is the roar of her guns on the seas;</p><p class="line">Her name is lustred on every strand,</p><p class="line">Her glory is known to the farthest land</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Where her standard floats on the breeze.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Ah this is the pillar of cloud and fire</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">That leads her hosts along;</p><p class="line">This, this is the goal of their deep desire,</p><p class="line">The road where their feet shall never tire, --</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">To be just, keep faith and be strong.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">So the Mother of Nations has risen in might</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">At the word of the onward call;</p><p class="line">She has shaken her banners forth to the light,</p><p class="line">And marched to the front of the people's fight</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Like the van of a tidal wall.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">And the future shall say of her sons who died</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Wherever their feet have trod</p><p class="line">With millions of comrades in arms allied;</p><p class="line">"They cast the treasures of earth aside</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">And marched to the goals of God."</p></div><p class="byline">-- Albert D. Watson.</p><p></p></body></html> · Great War