LOOK from the ancient mountains down, My noble English boy! Thy country's fields around thee gleam In sunlight and in joy. Ages have rolled since foeman's march Passed o'er that old, firm sod; For well the land hath fealty held To freedom and to God! Gaze proudly on, my English boy! And let thy kindling mind Drink in the spirit of high thought From every chainless wind! There, in the shadow of old Time, The halls beneath thee lie Which poured forth to the fields of yore Our England's chivalry. How bravely and how solemnly They stand, midst oak and yew! Whence Cressy's yeomen haply framed The bow, in battle true. And round their walls the good swords hang Whose faith knew no alloy, And shields of knighthood, pure from stain: Gaze on. my English boy! Gaze where the hamlet's ivied church Gleams by the antique elm, Or where the minster lifts the cross High through the air's blue realm. Martyrs have showered their free hearts blood That England's prayer might rise, From those gray fanes of thoughtful years Unfettered, to the skies. Along their aisles, beneath their trees, This earth's most glorious dust, Once fired with valour, wisdom, song, Is laid in holy trust. Gaze on -- gaze farther, farther yet -- My gallant English boy! Yon blue sea bears thy country's flag. The billows' pride and joy! Those waves in many a fight have closed Above her faithful dead; That red-cross flag victoriously Hath floated o'er their bed. They perished -- this green turf to keep By hostile tread unstained, These knightly halls inviolate, Those churches unprofaned. And high and clear their memory's light Along our shore is set, And many an answering beacon-fire Shall there be kindled yet! Lift up thy heart, my English boy! And pray, like @3them@1 to stand, Should God so summon @3thee@1, to guard the altars of the land. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DE LITTLE PICKANINNY'S GONE TO SLEEP by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON TO -, WITH A ROSE by SIDNEY LANIER HOLY POEMS: 2 by GEORGE BARKER TO A MISTRESS DYING by WILLIAM DAVENANT TO ONE IN BEDLAM by ERNEST CHRISTOPHER DOWSON |