England, My England

William Ernest Henley (1849-1903)

WHAT have I done for you,
England, my England?
What is there I would not do,
England, my own? With your glorious eyes austere,
As the Lord were walking near, Whispering terrible things and dear
As the Song on your bugles blown,
England-
Round the world on your bugles blown!

Where shall the watchful sun,
England, my England,
Match the master-work you’ve done,
England, my own? When shall he rejoice agen
Such a breed of mighty men As come forward, one to ten,
To the Song on your bugles blown,
England-
Down the years on your bugles blown?

Ever the faith endures,
England, my England:-
Take and break us: we are yours,
England, my own!
Life is good, and joy runs high
Between English earth and sky:
Death is death; but we shall die
To the Song of your bugles blown,
England-
To the stars on your bugles blown

They call you proud and hard,
England, my England:
You with worlds to watch and ward,
England, my own!
You whose mail’d hand keeps the keys
Of such teeming destinies,
You could know nor dread nor ease
Were the Song on your bugles blown,
England-
Round the Pit on your bugles blown!

Mother of Ships whose might,
England, my England,
Is the fierce old Sea’s delight,
England, my own,
Chosen daughter of the Lord,
Spouse-in-Chief of the ancient Sword,
There’s the menace of the Word
In the Song on your bugles blown,
England-
Out of heaven on your bugles blown!