Song of the English

Came the Whisper, came the Vision, came the Power with the Need,Till the Soul that is not man''s soul was lent us to lead.I. A SONG OF THE ENGLISHFair is our lot—O goodly is our heritage!II. THE COASTWISE LIGHTSOur brows are bound with spindrift and the weed is on our knees.III. THE SONG OF THE DEADHear now the Song of the Dead—in the North by the torn berg-edges.IV. THE DEEP-SEA CABLESThe wrecks dissolve above us; their dust drops down from afar.V. THE SONG OF THE SONSOne from the ends of the earth gifts at an open door.VI. THE SONGS OF THE CITIES:―BOMBAYRoyal and Dower-royal, I the Queen.CALCUTTAMe the Sea captain loved, the River built.MADRASClive kissed me on the mouth and eyes and brow.RANGOONHail, Mother! Do they call me rich in trade?SINGAPOREHail, Mother! East and West must seek my aid.HONG KONGHail, Mother! Hold me fast: my Praya sleeps.HALIFAXInto the mist my guardian prows put forth.QUEBEC AND MONTREALPeace is our portion. Yet a whisper rose.VICTORIAFrom East to West the circling word has passed.CAPETOWNHail! Snatched and bartered oft from hand to hand.MELBOURNEGreeting! Nor fear nor favour won us place.SYDNEYGreeting! My birth-stain have I turned to good.BRISBANEThe northern stirp beneath the southern skies.HOBARTMan''s love first found me; man''s hate made me Hell.AUCKLANDLast, loneliest, loveliest, exquisite, apart.VII. ENGLAND''S ANSWERTruly ye come of The Blood; slower to bless than to ban.