VICTORY

Before those golden altar-lights we stood,

Each one of us remembering his own dead.

A more than earthly beauty seemed to brood

On that hushed throng, and bless each bending head.

Beautiful on that gold, the deep-sea blue

Of those young seamen, ranked on either side,

Blent with the khaki, while the silence grew

Deep, as for wings — Oh, deep as England's pride.

Beautiful on that gold, two banners rose —

Two flags that told how Freedom's realm was made,

One fair with stars of hope, and one that shows

The glorious cross of England's long crusade;

Two flags, now joined, till that high will be done

Which sent them forth to make the whole world one.