MY ENGLAND.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1568, 24 June 1916, Page 4

MY ENGLAND.

Mr William Winter, who has been claimed as America's “greatest man,'’ has written a poem on England and the war. The 80th birthday of the famous dramatic critic is shortly to he made the subject: of a national celebration. The following verses are taken from the poem as it; appears in the New York ’rimes; My England! Not my native land, But dear to me as if she were — How often have I longed to stand With those brave hearts who fight for her! Bereft by Fortune, worn by Age, My life is all I have to give, But freely would that: life engage For those who dit; that she may live. Mother of Freedom! Fledged to Right! From Honour’s path she would not stray, But, sternly faithful, used her might To lead mankind the nobler way. Her task was hard, her burden great, But round the world her edict ran That reared and ruled a Sovereign State, Securely, on the Rights of Man, No vandal foot should tread her land, No despot hold her realm in awe; The humblest peasant: should command The shelter of her righteous law. In vain her lion port was braved! Her pennant streamed o’er ev’ry sea, And whereso’er her ensign waved All fetters fell and Man was free. She lights for us —for this fair (dime, Our home belov’d, where freemen dwell, Columbia, grandest born of Time, That Teuton malice burns to quell. My England! should the hope be crost In which she taught the world to strive, Then all of Virtue would be lost And naught of Manhood left alive. My England, strike! Droop not, nor pause, Till triumph on your banners shine! Then take a grateful world’s applause— Millions of heart*! that beat like mine.