Author: Scott Mannion

Drake he’s in his hammock an’ a thousand miles away,(Capten, art tha sleepin’ there below?)Slung atween the round shot in Nombre Dios Bay,An’ dreamin’ arl the time O’ Plymouth Hoe.Yarnder lumes the Island, yarnder lie the ships,Wi’ sailor lads a-dancing’ heel-an’-toe,An’ the shore-lights flashin’, an’ the night-tide dashin’,He sees et arl so plainly as he saw et long ago. Drake he was a Devon man, an’ ruled the Devon seas,(Capten, art tha’ sleepin’ there below?)Roving’ tho’ his death fell, he went wi’ heart at ease,A’ dreamin’ arl the time o’ Plymouth Hoe.“Take my drum to England, hang et by the shore,Strike et when your powder’s runnin’ low;If the Dons sight Devon, I’ll quit the port o’ Heaven,An’ drum them up the Channel as we drumm’d them long ago.” Drake he’s in his hammock till the great Armadas come,(Capten, art tha sleepin’ there below?)Slung atween the round shot, listenin’ for the drum,An’ dreamin arl the time o’ Plymouth Hoe.Call him on the deep sea, call him up the Sound,Call him when ye sail to meet the foe;Where the old trade’s plyin’ an’ the old flag flyin’They shall find him ware an’ wakin’, as they found him long ago!... Associate Producer Membership Required You must be a Associate Producer member to access this content.Join NowAlready a member? Log in here

 Who is the happy Warrior? Who is he That every man in arms should wish to be? —It is the generous Spirit, who, when brought Among the tasks of real life, hath wrought Upon the plan that pleased his boyish thought: Whose high endeavours are an inward light That makes the path before him always bright; Who, with a natural instinct to discern What knowledge can perform, is diligent to learn; Abides by this resolve, and stops not there, But makes his moral being his prime care; Who, doomed to go in company with Pain, And Fear, and Bloodshed, miserable train! Turns his necessity to glorious gain; In face of these doth exercise a power Which is our human nature’s highest dower: Controls them and subdues, transmutes, bereaves Of their bad influence, and their good receives: By objects, which might force the soul to abate Her feeling, rendered more compassionate; Is placable—because occasions rise So often that demand such sacrifice; More skilful in self-knowledge, even more pure, As tempted more; more able to endure, As more exposed to suffering and distress; Thence, also, more alive to tenderness. —’Tis he whose law is reason; who depends Upon that law as on the best of friends; Whence, in a state where men are tempted still To evil for a guard against worse ill, And what in quality or act is best Doth seldom on a right foundation rest, He labours good on good to fix, and owes To virtue every triumph that he knows: —Who, if he rise to station of command, Rises by open means; and there will stand On honourable terms, or else retire, And in himself possess his own desire; Who comprehends his trust, and to the same Keeps faithful with a singleness of aim; And therefore does not stoop, nor lie in wait For wealth, or honours, or for worldly state; Whom they must follow; on whose head must fall, Like showers of manna, if they come at all: Whose powers shed round him in the common strife, Or mild concerns of ordinary life, A constant influence, a peculiar grace; But who, if he be called upon to face Some awful moment to which Heaven has joined Great issues, good or bad for human kind, Is happy as a Lover; and attired With sudden brightness, like a Man inspired; And, through the heat of conflict, keeps the law In calmness made, and sees what he foresaw; Or if an unexpected call succeed, Come when it will, is equal to the need: —He who, though thus endued as with a sense And faculty for storm and turbulence, Is yet a Soul whose master-bias leans To homefelt pleasures and to gentle scenes; Sweet images! which, wheresoe’er he be, Are at his heart; and such fidelity It is his darling passion to approve; More brave for this, that he hath much to love:— ‘Tis, finally, the Man, who, lifted high, Conspicuous object in a Nation’s eye, Or left unthought-of in obscurity,— Who, with a toward or untoward lot, Prosperous or adverse, to his wish or not— Plays, in the many games of life, that one Where what he most doth value must be won: Whom neither shape or danger can dismay, Nor thought of tender happiness betray; Who, not content that former worth stand fast, Looks forward, persevering to the last, From well to better, daily self-surpast: Who, whether praise of him must walk the earth For ever, and to noble deeds give birth, Or he must fall, to sleep without his fame, And leave a dead unprofitable name— Finds comfort in himself and in his cause; And, while the mortal mist is gathering, draws His breath in confidence of Heaven’s applause: This is the happy Warrior; this is he That every man in arms should wish to be.... Associate Producer Membership Required You must be a Associate Producer member to access this content.Join NowAlready a member? Log in here

God of our fathers, known of old, Lord of our far-flung battle line, Beneath whose awful hand we hold Dominion over palm and pine — Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet, Lest we forget—lest we forget! The tumult and the shouting dies; The Captains and the Kings depart: Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice, An humble and a contrite heart. Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet, Lest we forget—lest we forget! Far-called, our navies melt away; On dune and headland sinks the fire: Lo, all our pomp of yesterday Is one with Nineveh and Tyre! Judge of the Nations, spare us yet, Lest we forget—lest we forget! If, drunk with sight of power, we loose Wild tongues that have not Thee in awe, Such boastings as the Gentiles use, Or lesser breeds without the Law— Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet, Lest we forget—lest we forget! For heathen heart that puts her trust In reeking tube and iron shard, All valiant dust that builds on dust, And, guarding, calls not Thee to guard; For frantic boast and foolish word— Thy Mercy on Thy People, Lord!... Associate Producer Membership Required You must be a Associate Producer member to access this content.Join NowAlready a member? Log in here