BRITANNIA TO WILHELM.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 197, 4 August 1916, Page 1

BRITANNIA TO WILHELM.

The following verses, c imposed by I Mr Clive H. J. Wily, which appeared i our columns at the begii ling of t 3 war, are re-published (by request! 0day, the occasion being the seeond nniversary of the declaration of the w r, viz: For years you have bullied "urope, For years your threat' ng drum Has kept the whole world aking, But now your end has ome. You thought you had caug it me sleeping, You hoped that interi il strife Had loosened the Nation' sinews And stifled the Empi j's life. Fool! Did you think the ea-Quee Was ever unprepare ? Deemed you the wnelps f the L° n To aia their mother eared ? Dreamed you, yon cheaf Napo) on, You braggart of fust an w re, You could strike my friei Is in jattle And fail to find met! »re I have whispered a word *> ir children, It has sped 'neath the azu > flood; It has flown through the am lent aether To the furthest of my t ood. And back from the far Pacif And back from the Lane of Snows, From Africa, India, Newfoui dland Flashed the challenge t< our foes. "On mother! we stand besii 1 thee, Of our men, our steeds, ar gold, Take the best, without stint r measure, As you gave to us of oli " On, mother! our all we ow thee, Andshall it be said ind ed That the weakest of your 0 'spring Should fail you in your need ?" Now, Wilhelm, Fate draws cigh thee, The Valkyrs swoop tfa way, And the greedy Desir cho< je thee To be their destined p ey. I have swept the sea wit! my cruisers, I have throttled your loasted fleet, And now on your very b( ders I press, your might tc meet. Down! upstart Hohenz* lern. The meteor flag flies ligh ; In the blood of vour Empi e welter, And, weltering, fall a d die ! -CLIVE I . J. WILY.