LAST WORD: TO THE COLONIES

By William Watson

Brothers beyond the Atlantic's loud expanse;

And you that rear the innumerable fleece

Far southward‘ mid the ocean named of peace;

Britons that past the Indian wave advance

Our name and spirit and world-predominance;

And you our kin that reap the earth's increase

Where crawls that long-backed mountain till it cease

Crown'd with the headland of bright esperance:—

Remote compatriots wheresoe'er ye dwell,

By your prompt voices ringing clear and true

We know that with our England all is well:

Young is she yet, her world-task but begun!

By you we know her safe, and know by you

Her veins are million but her heart is one.