Waggon Hill

By Sir Henry Newbolt

Drake in the North Sea grimly prowling,

Treading his dear Revenge's deck,

Watched, with the sea-dogs round him growling,

Galleons drifting wreck by wreck.

“Fetter and Faith for England's neck,

Faggot and Father, Saint and chain,—

Yonder the Devil and all go howling,

Devon, O Devon, in wind and rain!”

Drake at the last off Nombre lying,

Knowing the night that toward him crept,

Gave to the sea-dogs round him crying

This for a sign before he slept:—

“Pride of the West! What Devon hath kept

Devon shall keep on tide or main;

Call to the storm and drive them flying,

Devon, O Devon, in wind and rain!”

Valour of England gaunt and whitening,

Far in a South land brought to bay,

Locked in a death-grip all day tightening,

Waited the end in twilight gray.

Battle and storm and the sea-dog's way

Drake from his long rest turned again,

Victory lit thy steel with lightning,

Devon, O Devon, in wind and rain!