When England sets her banner forth <br />And bids her armour shine, <br />She'll not forget the famous North, <br />The lads of moor and Tyne; <br />And when the loving-cup's in hand <br />And Honour leads the cry, <br />They know not old Northumberland <br />Who'll pass her memory by. <br /> <br />When Nelson sailed for Trafalgar <br />With all his country's best, <br />He held them dear as brothers are, <br />But one beyond the rest. <br />For when the fleet with heroes manned <br />To clear the decks began, <br />The boast of old Northumberland <br />He sent to lead the van. <br /> <br />Himself by Victory's bulwark stood <br />And cheered to see the sight; <br />'That noble fellow Collingwood, <br />How bold he goes to fight!' <br />Love, that the league of Ocean spanned, <br />Heard him face to face; <br />'What would he give, Northumberland, <br />To share our pride of place?' <br /> <br />The flag that goes the world around <br />And flaps on every breeze <br />Has never gladdened fairer ground <br />Or kinder hearts than these. <br />So when the loving-cup's in hand <br />And Honour leads the cry, <br />They know not old Northumberland <br />Who'll pass her memory by.<br /><br />Sir Henry Newbolt<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-old-and-bold/
