|
A SONG OF THE ENGLISH
Fair is our lot -- O goodly
is our heritage!
(Humble ye, my people, and
be fearful in your mirth!)
For the Lord our God Most High
He hath made the deep as dry,
He hath smote for us a pathway
to the ends of all the Earth!
Yea, though we sinned -- and
our rulers went from righteousness --
Deep in all dishonour though
we stained our garments' hem.
Oh be ye not dismayed,
Though we stumbled and we strayed,
We were led by evil counsellors
-- the Lord shall deal with them!
Hold ye the Faith -- the Faith
our Fathers seal]\ed us;
Whoring not with visions --
overwise and overstale.
Except ye pay the Lord
Single heart and single sword,
Of your children in their bondage
shall He ask them treble-tale!
Keep ye the Law -- be swift
in all obedience --
Clear the land of evil, drive
the road and bridge the ford.
Make ye sure to each his own
That he reap where he hath sown;
By the peace among Our peoples
let men know we serve the Lord!
.
. . . .
Hear now a song -- a song of
broken interludes --
A song of little cunning; of
a singer nothing worth.
Through the naked words and mean
May ye see the truth between
As the singer knew and touched
it in the ends of all the Earth!
|
