TO THE LEADERS OF BOTH PARTIES

Think on your birthright, England! On that voice

Which sounded first the ringing clarion note

Of freedom, and the ears of mankind smote

With that brave speech, whose hearing does rejoice

The angels ( in his starry sphere remote

Each sitting ). Think upon your past, my land;

The heart to wish, the will to dare, the hand

To do the right, though round the senses float

The Protean shapes of evil. We have struck

To free the slave, against a world in doubt;

Have raised the grovelling from their muddy ruck

And made them men; our foes once put to rout

We give them justice; we have scorned to truck

In gold for blood, and fatten on such spoil —

To others be the gain, to us the toil.

Oh, once more, England, let that voice ring out!

Alas! thou now dost hide thy Titan self

In a drab's clothing, lies; whilst, false and shrill,

Thy people squabble for the dirty pelf

Of office, at the hustings; while they fill

Our streets with lies, that, from the naked walls,

Mouth blatantly upon us, open shame;

While throughout Europe goes thy honoured name,

Grimacing in a mask of Party brawls.

Bethink you, Leaders! How will history place

Your name beside her others, if you fight

With such-like weapons? Oh, be bold to face

The conflict, tell the truth, as in your sight

It does appear, with nothing false or base,

— The nation's heart will know to choose aright —

Be brave! Be true these days! Will you forget

You are our Leaders, we, a people yet?