By all the deeds to Thy dear glory done, <br />By all the life blood spilt to serve Thy need, <br />By all the fettered lives Thy touch hath freed, <br />By all Thy dream in us anew begun; <br />By all the guerdon English sire to son <br />Hath given of highest vision, kingliest deed, <br />By all Thine agony, of God decreed <br />For trial and strength, our fate with Thine is one. <br /> <br />Still dwells Thy spirit in our hearts and lips, <br />Honour and life we hold from none but thee <br />And if we live Thy pensioners no more <br />But seek a nation's might of men and ships, <br />'Tis but that when the world is black with war <br />Thy sons may stand beside Thee strong and free.<br /><br />Archibald Thomas Strong<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/sonnets-of-the-empire-australia-to-england/
