The seas of England are our old delight: <br />Let the loud billow of the shingly shore <br />Sing freedom on her breezes evermore <br />To all earth’s ships that sailing heave in sight! <br /> <br />The gaunt sea-nettle be our fortitude, <br />Sturdily blowing where the clear wave sips; <br />O, be the glory of our men and ships <br />Rapturous, woe unheeding hardihood! <br /> <br />There is great courage in a land that hath <br />Liberty guarded by the unearthly seas; <br />And ev’n to find peace at the last in these <br />How many a sailor hath sailed down to death! <br /> <br />Their names are like a splendour in an old song; <br />Their record shines like bays along the years; <br />Their jubilation is the cry man hears <br />Sailing sun-fronted the vast deeps among. <br /> <br />The seas of England are our old delight: <br />Let the loud billow of the shingly shore <br />Sing freedom on her breezes evermore <br />To all earth’s ships that sailing heave in sight!<br /><br />Walter de la Mare<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-seas-of-england/
