Oh, it is not in the papers and we cannot always know <br />Where to find the Silent Service whose address is 'G.P.O.' <br />And to-day you can't be certain where to-morrow it will be <br />Which yesterday was 'somewhere' and the day before 'at sea.' <br /> <br />You will find the Silent Navy under every star that shines; <br />It may be hunting submarines, it may be sweeping mines; <br />From Cocos Isle to Dogger Bank, the Falklands to the Bight, <br />You will find the Silent Navy when it gets a chance to fight. <br /> <br />You'll find it in the wintry seas, making heavy weather, <br />When the wind and the waves are playing larks together; <br />You'll find it cruising up and down and coming in to coal, <br />Then out again in mist and rain to keep its long patrol. <br /> <br />You will find the Silent Navy where the ships come in from sea <br />With wheat and meat and fighting men and sugar for our tea, <br />You'll find it seizing contraband in narrow seas and wide, <br />You'll find it near, you'll find it far, and in between beside. <br /> <br />It may be on the Danube, or among the Belgian dunes; <br />Annexing South Sea Islands or blockading hot lagoons; <br />Escorting armies overseas or starting out in buff <br />To hand a Turkish railroad-line a friendly pinch of snuff. <br /> <br />It's here and there and everywhere, an unexpected guest, <br />That is not always welcome, be its manners of the best; <br />You'll meet it in the Baltic and again in Riga Bay, <br />Or landing with its guns in Equatorial Africa. <br /> <br />It is not in the papers, for the Censor deems it best; <br />But we sometimes hear a little, and we sometimes guess the rest, <br />And where there's any risk to run, or any death to dare, <br />You may seek the Silent Navy . . . and be sure you'll find it there!<br /><br />Cicely Fox Smith<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-silent-navy/
