Once again, banners, fly! <br />Clang again, bells, on high, <br />Sounding to sea and sky, <br />Longer and louder, <br />Mafeking's glory with <br />Kimberley, Ladysmith, <br />Of our unconquered kith <br />Prouder and prouder. <br /> <br />Hemmed in for half a year, <br />Still with no succour near, <br />Nor word of hope to cheer <br />Wounded and dying, <br />Famished, and foiled of sleep <br />By the fierce cannon's leap, <br />They vowed still, still to keep <br />England's Flag flying. <br /> <br />Nor was their mettle shown <br />By male and strong alone, <br />But, as intrepid grown, <br />Fragile and tender, <br />Without or tear or sigh, <br />Echoed the brave old cry, <br />``We, too, would rather die, <br />Die than surrender.'' <br /> <br />As pressed the foe more near, <br />Only with naked spear, <br />Ne'er knowing what to fear, <br />Parley, or blench meant, <br />Forward through shot and shell, <br />While still the foremost fell, <br />They with resistless yell <br />Stormed his entrenchment. <br /> <br />Then, when hope dawned at last, <br />And fled the foe, aghast <br />At the relieving blast <br />Heard in the melley,- <br />O our stout, stubborn kith! <br />Kimberley, Ladysmith, <br />Mafeking, wedded with <br />Lucknow and Delhi! <br /> <br />Sound for them martial lay! <br />Crown them with battle-bay, <br />Both those who died, and they <br />'Gainst death could wrestle: <br />Powell of endless fame, <br />All, all with equal claim, <br />And, of the storied name, <br />Gallant young Cecil! <br /> <br />Long as the waves shall roll, <br />Long as Fame guards her scroll, <br />And men through heart and soul <br />Thrill to true glory, <br />Their deed, from age to age, <br />Shall voice and verse engage, <br />Swelling the splendid page <br />Of England's Story.<br /><br />Alfred Austin<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/mafeking/
