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My "Little Bit"

Chapter 30: SEA POWER, 1805–1918
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About This Book

A collection of essays and speeches, mostly published as newspaper and magazine pieces before and during the Great War, that mix patriotic exhortation, moral critique, and social commentary. The author argues against the romanticisation of armed conflict while urging national unity, charity for occupied and starving peoples, and energetic civil mobilisation; she praises naval strength, the civic and moral virtues of women, and volunteer efforts, and criticises governmental incompetence, economic mismanagement, and radical agitation. Interwoven are religious reflections, appeals for aid, and meditations on national character and public duty.

SEA POWER, 1805–1918

I
Glory and terror and splendid joy of the Sea!
Thunderous Sentinel-Guard of our flowering Isles of the Free!
Fortress impregnable, built with the mountainous waves
Toppling in fury of laughter sheer over our enemies’ graves!
God!... It is all we can ask for!... that still we ever may be
Saved by the glory and terror and conquering joy of the Sea!
II
Sea that sprang to the keels of the ships of Nelson and Drake,
Billows that leap’d for delight in the battles for England’s sake—
Will ye fail us now? Nay, never! Ye are strong as ye were of yore,
And Victory’s voice rings clearly out in your rush on the rocky shore—
And shark-like Death, at the enemy’s cry, to meet him swiftly runs,
For your swirl and sucking sands are as sure as the fire of a thousand guns!

III
Glory and terror and conquering love of the Sea,
Circling our Fortunate Isles of Fame, more famous still to be!
Let us praise the Giver of Life for the silver and azure band
He hath set between us and our foes on the other side of the land.
Break, it cannot! Yield, it shall not! England, home of the free,
God keep thee safe in the strength and light and conquering love of the Sea!