John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
3920 James Thomson 1700-1748 John Bartlett
| NUMBER: | 3920 |
| AUTHOR: | James Thomson (1700–1748) |
| QUOTATION: | When Britain first, at Heaven’s command, Arose from out the azure main, This was the charter of her land, And guardian angels sung the strain: Rule, Britannia! Britannia rules the waves! Britons never shall be slaves. |
| ATTRIBUTION: | Alfred. Act ii. Sc. 5. |