Victoria Regina

A thousand years by sea and land

  Our race hath served the island kings,

But not by custom's dull command

  To-day with song her Empire rings:

Not all the glories of her birth,

  Her armed renown and ancient throne,

Could make her less the child of earth

  Or give her hopes beyond our own:

But stayed on faith more sternly proved

  And pride than ours more pure and deep,

She loves the land our fathers loved

  And keeps the fame our sons shall keep.