'Tis the streamer of England - it floats o'er the brave- <br />'Tis the fairest unfurled o'er the land or the wave; <br />But though brightest in story and matchless in fight, <br />'Tis the heralds of Mercy as well as of Might. <br />In the cause of the wronged may it ever be first- <br />When tyrants are humbled and fetters are burst: <br />Be 'Justice' the war-shout, and dastard is he <br />Who would scruple to die 'neath the Flag of the Free! <br /> <br />It may trail o'er the halyards-a bullet-torn rag, <br />Or flutter in shreds from the battlement-crag; <br />Let the shot whistle through it as fast as it may, <br />Till it sweep the last glorious tatter away. <br />What matter! we'd hoist the blue jacket on high <br />Or the soldier's red sash from the spearhead should fly: <br />Though it were but a riband, the foeman should see <br />The proud signal and own it-the Flag of the Free! <br /> <br />Have we ever looked out from a far foreign shore, <br />To mark the gay pennon each passing ship bore; <br />And watch'd every speck that arose from the foam, <br />In hope of glad tidings from country and home?- <br />Has our straining eye caught the loved colours at last. <br />And seen the dear bark bounding on to us fast? <br />Then, then have our hearts learnt how precious can be <br />The fair streamer of England-the Flag of the Free!<br /><br />Eliza Cook<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-flag-of-the-free/
