English poem
The Return of the Mayflower II (Looming up the Channel)
by Bliss Carman
Looming up the Channel, Making Plymouth Sound, What man-of-war is this that comes Racing, victory bound?
Speeding as to battle, On she comes amain, Swift as an eagle's shadow Across the summer plain.
In power and in beauty Commanding on the seas, She leads a stranger battle line— What men, what ships are these?
Look, where she flies her colors— The white and crimson bars, The ensign of the Rights of Man, The Glory of the Stars!
Back from the ports of promise Beyond the Western sea, These are the breed of Runnymede, The Sons of Liberty.
To cheers that give her welcome What answer will she make? Hark to her thousand souls on board Would die for freedom's sake!
To stay the ancient altars, Where fire of justice burns, For freedom still as God may will, The Mayflower returns.