I

She had been ours so long She seemed a piece of ENGLAND: spirit and blood And message ENGLAND'S self, Home-coloured, ENGLAND in look and deed and dream; Like the rich meadows and woods, the serene rivers, And sea-charmed cliffs and beaches, that still bring A rush of tender pride to the heart That beats in ENGLAND'S airs to ENGLAND'S ends: August, familiar, irremovable, Like the good stars that shine In the good skies that only ENGLAND knows: So that we held it sure GOD'S aim, GOD'S will, GOD'S way, When Empire from her footstool, realm on realm, Spread, even as from her notable womb Sprang line on line of Kings; For she was ENGLAND--ENGLAND and our Queen.