"WAKE UP, ENGLAND"
Reading edition
Thou careless, awake! Thou peacemaker, fight! Stand, England, for honour, And God guard the Right! Thy mirth lay aside, Thy cavil and play: The foe is upon thee, And grave is the day. The monarch Ambition Hath harnessed his slaves; But the folk of the Ocean Are free as the waves. For Peace thou art armed Thy Freedom to hold: Thy Courage as iron, Thy Good-faith as gold. Through Fire, Air, and Water Thy trial must be: But they that love life best Die gladly for thee. The Love of their mothers Is strong to command; The fame of their fathers Is might to their hand. Much suffering shall cleanse thee; But thou through the flood Shalt win to Salvation, To Beauty through blood.
Up, careless, awake! Ye peacemakers, fight! England stands for Honour: God defend the Right!
ROBERT BRIDGES, Poet Laureate