Classic and Contemporary Poetry
RHYMES AND RHYTHMS: 25, by WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: What have I done for you? Last Line: Out of heaven on your bugles blown! Alternate Author Name(s): Henley, W. E. Variant Title(s): Pro Rege Nostro;england, My England Subject(s): England; Patriotism; English | ||||||||
WHAT have I done for you, England, my England? What is there I would not do, England, my own? With your glorious eyes austere, As the Lord were walking near, Whispering terrible things and dear As the Song on your bugles blown, England -- Round the world on your bugles blown! Where shall the watchful sun, England, my England, Match the master-work you've done, England, my own? When shall he rejoice agen Such a breed of mighty men As come forward, one to ten, To the Song on your bugles blown, England -- Down the years on your bugles blown? Ever the faith endures, England, my England: -- 'Take and break us: we are yours, England, my own! Life is good, and joy runs high Between English earth and sky: Death is death; but we shall die To the Song on your bugles blown, England -- To the stars on your bugles blown!' They call you proud and hard, England, my England: You with worlds to watch and ward, England, my own! You whose mail'd hand keeps the keys Of such teeming destinies, You could know nor dread nor ease Were the Song on your bugles blown, England, Round the Pit on your bugles blown! Mother of Ships whose might, England, my England, Is the fierce old Sea's delight, England, my own, Chosen daughter of the Lord, Spouse-in-Chief of the ancient Sword, There 's the menace of the Word In the Song on your bugles blown, England -- Out of heaven on your bugles blown! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...NINETEEN FORTY by NORMAN DUBIE GHOSTS IN ENGLAND by ROBINSON JEFFERS STAYING UP FOR ENGLAND by LIAM RECTOR STONE AND FLOWER by KENNETH REXROTH THE HANGED MAN by KENNETH REXROTH ENGLISH TRAIN COMPARTMENT by JOHN UPDIKE BALLADE OF DEAD ACTORS by WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY |
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