Written in May , 1803, on the Publication of the Negociation Papers .

" Bow, Britons, bow the haughty head!
" Bend, Britons, bend the stubborn knee!
" Own your ancient virtue fled,
" And know not that ye once were free.
" Think not as your fathers thought;
" Speak no more, as Britons ought;
" Act no more the Britons part,
" With valiant hand and honest heart;
" What indignation bids you feel,
" Dare not, dare not to reveal:
" Though Justice sharpen, dare not grasp the lance,
" Nor single-handed tempt the might of France!

" Me, Holland, Italy obey:
" Her breast with many a war-wound gor'd,
" And crush'd beneath my iron sway,
" Me Helvetia owns her Lord.
" Boast not then your fleets, that sweep
" The eastern and the western deep!
" Boast not then your sea-wash'd land,
" Rampart-girt by Nature's hand!
" Fleets and billows stay not me — —
" Then bow the head, and bend the knee.
" Britons, no more your rival ranks advance,
" Nor single-handed dare to cope with France! "

Yes! as our Albion's root-bound oak
Stoops to the tempest, we will bow!
Yes! we will bend, as the tall rock
Mocking the wave that chafes below!
Now by the sable Prince imbrued
Once and again in Gallic blood;
By the laurels that intwine,
Harry , thy helm; and Marlborough , thine;
By our Chiefs on Nilus ' tide,
Him, who triumph'd; him, who died;
By him, whom Acon's turrets raise
To lion-hearted Richard 's praise;
Yes! we will still our rival ranks advance,
And single-handed brave the might of France.

Come then, come thou Consul-king!
Launch thy navies, arm thine host,
And beneath night's favouring wing.
Thy banners plant on England's coast!
Come! but hope not to return —
Here other thoughts thou soon shalt learn;
Shalt feel that Britons still may claim
The honours of the British name;
Can fearless still maintain their stand
On British, as on Syrian, land;
Still rise superior to the sons of Chance,
Still single-handed crush the pride of France.