What pulse but throbs, what heart but quicker beats, Recalling deeds of seamen true and brave, As here are shown the high heroic feats Our kinsmen wrought upon the heaving wave? Cold must he be, and not of Viking blood, Devoid of Nature's touch, who can behold Before him spread such trophies of the flood, And deeds of mighty seamen here unrolled; To know what made our Empire look on these Relics of daring seamanship unfurled, Which made Britannia Mistress of the Seas, And with her commerce girdled all the world; But while your hearts expand with patriot pride, Or gratitude for calmer days now come, Bethink you that in all the country wide, Only the seamen voiceless are and dumb. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...JUGGLING JERRY by GEORGE MEREDITH IN LIGHTER VEIN by ELIZABETH KEMPER ADAMS THEN AND NOW by LOUISA SARAH BEVINGTON DEMON by ALEXANDER (ALEKSANDR) ALEXANDROVICH BLOK TOWERING OVER THE WRECKS OF TIME by JOHN BOWRING |