Alfred
White lay the walrus-tooth beneath thine eyes
Now the grave Northman's wondrous tale was done
Of heroes questing 'neath a blackened sun,
And thy great heart was filled with dim surmise
Of longships voyaging on 'neath Arctic skies,
Full East by North, through terrors dreamt of none,
Till the fierce watchers know Cathay is won
As golden shores from glowing seas arise.
Fair on thy musing soul the vision grew,
And Sighelm sought the Indies at thy hest,
And brought thee gems and many a golden tale:
And then thy heart thine England's fame foreknew,
And all her lands of wonder, East and west,
And the brave might whereby she should prevail.
Thrice broke the Danewave ravening o'er thy lands,
And shattered thice against thy iron might;
By three fair names thy glory shineth bright,
Ashdown and Athelney and Benfleet Sands;
For there thy hustheigns smote the warlock bands
Of Guthrum sheer to hell before thy sight
And scattered Hasting's Vikings to the night,
And winnowed Wessex with their flaming brands.
Father of England's navy, warrior lord,
Thou gav'st us faith and learning, and our pride
Of song and sea-power comes from none but thee:
Still gleams thy glory in our conquering sword,
And whereso'er our lordly navies ride
Thy spirit greets them shining from the sea.
White lay the walrus-tooth beneath thine eyes
Now the grave Northman's wondrous tale was done
Of heroes questing 'neath a blackened sun,
And thy great heart was filled with dim surmise
Of longships voyaging on 'neath Arctic skies,
Full East by North, through terrors dreamt of none,
Till the fierce watchers know Cathay is won
As golden shores from glowing seas arise.
Fair on thy musing soul the vision grew,
And Sighelm sought the Indies at thy hest,
And brought thee gems and many a golden tale:
And then thy heart thine England's fame foreknew,
And all her lands of wonder, East and west,
And the brave might whereby she should prevail.
Thrice broke the Danewave ravening o'er thy lands,
And shattered thice against thy iron might;
By three fair names thy glory shineth bright,
Ashdown and Athelney and Benfleet Sands;
For there thy hustheigns smote the warlock bands
Of Guthrum sheer to hell before thy sight
And scattered Hasting's Vikings to the night,
And winnowed Wessex with their flaming brands.
Father of England's navy, warrior lord,
Thou gav'st us faith and learning, and our pride
Of song and sea-power comes from none but thee:
Still gleams thy glory in our conquering sword,
And whereso'er our lordly navies ride
Thy spirit greets them shining from the sea.