ORIGINAL VERSE.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 January 1919, Page 7

ORIGINAL VERSE.

"THE IHEBDOM OF THE SEAS."

Who challenges Britannia, who throws the gauntlet down .Who questions her the right to rule the seas? Do they doubt old. England's honor to keep her plighted word; Who is it dares 'to ask such tiSigs as these?

Do they Know a greater Freedom tta the world enjoys to-day? Do they think that now is just the time to squealt They forget it •was the "Silent Fleet" who paved the way to peace Wlien they locked the GenjW® natvy fast in Kiel. . ITave they heard of Drake and Hawkins, who sailed the Spanish Main? Have they ever read the history ,of the . world? ' Do thejr Jrnow that fit, /Trafalgar the mighty died, As iio to.vglit hejieatli l&riteh flag unfurled? I-,' 1

•Pof ■wliether tb?y Isa yfodw '. walls jor dreadnoughts built of 'stecl j They'll fl'id "the "Sieri who man thim just the aopack- * mT They're callers lit tl«s backbone, who know the way to And n,3 of yore, they always play the game.

So who cTiP.J'enjres Britannia, and throws the gauntlet down Had better pause, and ponder, things like these. For while old England's able to do the rightful thing. She will always hold the Freedom of the Sea«.