Our men, they are our stronghold, <br />Our bastioned wall unscaled, <br />Who, against Hate and Wrong, hold <br />This Realm that never quailed; <br />Who bear the noblest burden <br />Life lays on shoulders broad, <br />Asking not fame or guerdon, <br />Asking not gold or laud. <br /> <br /> <br />They go where England speeds them; <br />They laugh and jest at Fate. <br />They go where England needs them <br />And dream not they are great, <br />And oft, 'mid smoke and smother <br />By blinding warstorm fanned <br />Sons of our mighty Mother, <br />They fall that she may stand. <br /> <br /> <br />Our sailors, save when sleeping <br />The light sleep of the sea, <br />Their ancient watch are keeping, <br />Mother, for thine and thee! <br />They guard thy maiden daughters <br />From worse than death or pain; <br />The men who ward the waters, <br />The men who man the main. <br /> <br /> <br />When navies meet and wrestle, <br />And their vast arms strike home -- <br />Vessel with monstrous vessel <br />Matched on the flame-lit foam -- <br />What fleet returns in glory? <br />What fleet makes haste to fly? <br />O Sea, that knowest our story, <br />Thou, thou canst best reply! <br /> <br /> <br />Then hail to all who gave us <br />Their might of arm and soul, <br />Hot and athirst to save us, <br />To heal, and keep us whole; <br />Whether they serve where yonder <br />Far-burrowing trenches run, <br />Or where the ocean thunder <br />Peals with the thundering gun.<br /><br />William Watson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/our-men/
