Classic Poem

When rival Nations first descried,
Emerging from the boundless Main
This Land by Tyrants yet untried,
On high was sung this lofty strain:
Rise Britannia beaming far!
Rise bright Freedom's morning star!

To distant Regions unexplor'd
Extend the blessings of thy sway;
To yon benighted World afford
The light of thy all-chearing ray;
Rise Britannia, rise bright star!
Spread thy radiance wide and far!

The shoots of Science rich and fair,
Transplanted from thy fostering Isle
And by thy Genius nurtur'd there,
Shall teach the Wilderness to smile.
Shine, Britannia, rise and shine!
To bless Mankind the task be thine!

Nor shall the Muses now disdain
To find a new Asylum there:
And ripe for harvest see the plain,
Where lately rov'd the prowling Bear.
Plume, Britannia, plume thy wing!
Teach the savage Wild to sing!

From thee descended, there the Swain
Shall arm the Port and spread the Sail,
And speed his traffick o'er the Main
With skill to brave the sweeping Gale;
Skill, Britannia, taught by thee,
Unrivall'd Empress of the Sea!

This high and holy strain how true
Had now from age to age been shown;
And to the World's admiring view
Rose Freedom's transatlantic throne:
Here, Britannia, here thy fame
Long did we with joy proclaim.

But ah! what frenzy breaks a band
Of love and union held so dear!
Rebellion madly shakes the land,
And love is turn'd to hate and fear.
Here, Britannia, here at last
We feel Contagion's deadly blast.

Thus blind, alas! when all is well,
Thus blind are Mortals here below:
As when apostate Angels fell,
Ambition turns our bliss to woe.
Now, Britannia, now beware:
For other conflicts now prepare!

By thee controul'd for ages past,
See now half Europe in array:
For wild Ambition hopes at last
To fix her long projected sway.
Rise, Britannia, rise again
The scourge of haughty France and Spain!

The howling tempest fiercely blows,
And Ocean rages in the storm:
'Tis then the fearless Pilot shows
What British courage can perform.
Rule, Britannia, rule the waves
And ruin all intruding slaves!