Poems

<h4><SPAN name="A_HYMN" id="A_HYMN"></SPAN>A HYMN</h4> <p>O God of earth and altar,<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bow down and hear our cry</span><br/> Our earthly rulers falter,<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Our people drift and die;</span><br/> The walls of gold entomb us,<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">The swords of scorn divide,</span><br/> Take not thy thunder from us,<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">But take away our pride.</span><br/> <br/> From all that terror teaches,<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">From lies of tongue and pen,</span><br/> From all the easy speeches<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">That comfort cruel men,</span><br/> From sale and profanation<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of honour and the sword,</span><br/> From sleep and from damnation,<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Deliver us, good Lord!</span><br/> <br/> Tie in a living tether<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">The prince and priest and thrall,</span><br/> Bind all our lives together,<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Smite us and save us all;</span><br/> In ire and exultation<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Aflame with faith, and free,</span><br/> Lift up a living nation,<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">A single sword to thee.</span><br/> <br/><br/></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />