At Gibraltar

George Edward Woodberry (1855–1930)

ENGLAND, I stand on thy imperial ground

Not all a stranger; as thy bugles blow,

I feel within my blood old battles flow,—

The blood whose ancient founts are in thee found

Still surging dark against the Christian bound

While Islam presses; well its peoples know

Thy heights that watch them wandering below:

I think how Lucknow heard their gathering sound.

I turn and meet the cruel, turbaned face.

England! ’t is sweet to be so much thy son!

I feel the conqueror in my blood and race;

Last night Trafalgar awed me, and to-day

Gibraltar wakened; hark, thy evening gun

Startles the desert over Africa.

II.

Thou art the rock of empire set mid-seas

Between the East and West, that God has built;

Advance thy Roman borders where thou wilt,

While run thy armies true with his decrees;

Law, justice, liberty,—great gifts are these.

Watch that they spread where English blood is spilt,

Lest, mixed and sullied with his country’s guilt

The soldier’s life-stream flow, and Heaven displease!

Two swords there are: one naked, apt to smite,

Thy blade of war; and, battle-storied, one

Rejoices in the sheath, and hides from light.

American I am; would wars were done!

Now westward, look, my country bids good night,—

Peace to the world, from ports without a gun!