SIR WILLIAM GOMM

At threescore years and five aroused anew

To rule in India, forth a soldier went

On whose bright-fronted youth fierce war had spent

Its iron stress of storm, till glory grew

Full as the red sun waned on Waterloo.

Landing, he met the word from England sent

Which bade him yield up rule: and he, content,

Resigned it, as a mightier warrior's due;

And wrote as one rejoicing to record

That “from the first” his royal heart was lord

Of its own pride or pain; that thought was none

Therein save this, that in her perilous strait

England, whose womb brings forth her sons so great,

Should choose to serve her first her mightiest son.