Classic Poem

She comes, she comes — Iberia's proud Armada —
The waves beneath the heavy burden sigh;
Laden with bigotry and chains, the invader,
Charged with a thousand thunders, now draws nigh;
And as she sweeps along in stately motion,
With trembling awe is fill'd the startled Ocean.

Each ship a floating citadel,
Men call her " The Invincible! "
Why should she boast that haughty name?
The fear she spreads allows her claim.

And now at length the proud fleet stands before thee,
Thrice happy Island, Mistress of the Sea!
Mighty Britannia, danger hovers o'er thee,
Those countless galleons threaten slavery!
Woe to thy freedom-nurtur'd nation!
Yon cloud is big with desolation!

How came that priceless gem in thy possession,
Which raised thee high above each other State?
Thyself it was, who, struggling 'gainst oppression,
Earn'd for thy sons that statute wise and great —
The Magna Charta — 'neath whose shelt'ring wings
Monarchs but subjects are, and subjects kings!
To rule the waves, thy ships have prov'd their right,
Defeating each proud foe in ocean-fight.
All this thou ow'st — ye nations blush to hear it! —
To thy thy good sword alone, and dauntless spirit!
See where the monster comes — unhappy one!
Alas, thy glorious race is well-nigh run!
Alarm and terror fill this earthly ball,
The hearts of all free men are beating madly,
And ev'ry virtuous soul is waiting sadly
The hour when thy great name is doom'd to fall.

God, the Almighty, look'd down from His throne,
And saw thy foe's proud " Lion-Banner " flying,
And saw the yawning grave before thee lying —
" What! " He exclaim'd, " shall my lov'd Albion,
And all her race of heroes, now so free,
Pine in the galling bonds of slavery?
Shall she, whose name with dread all tyrants hear,
Be swept for ever from this hemisphere? "

" Never, " He cried, " shall Freedom's Eden true,
That bulwark of all human rights, be shatter'd! "
God the Almighty blew,
And to the winds of heaven the fleet was scatter'd!