A SONG IN TIME OF ORDER. 1852.
"tan hard across the sand, For the salt wind gathers breath : Shoulder and wrist and hand, Push hard as the push of death.
The wind is as iron that rings, The foam-beads loosen and fee: It swells and welters and swings The pulse of the bride of the sea.
And up on the yellow cliff The long corn flickers and shakes : Push! for the wind holds stiff, And the gunwale dips and rakes.
Good hap to the fresh fierce weather, The quiver and beat of the sea! While three men hold together, The kingdoms are less by three.
Out to the sea with her there, Out with her over the sand ; Let the Kings keep the earth for their share !
We have done with the sharers of land. They have tied the world in a tether, —Have they bought over God with a fee F- While three men hold together, The kingdoms are less by three.
We have done with the kisses that sting; With the thief's mouths red from the feast; With the blood on the hands of the King; Withthe lie on the lips of the priest.
Will they tie the winds in a tether, Put a bit in the jaws of theses? While three men hold together,
The kingdoms are less -by three.
While the Shepherd sets wolves on his shee2, And the Emperor halters his kine ; While Shame is a watchman asleep, And Faith is a keeper of swine : Let the wind shake our flag like a feather, Like the plumes of the foam of the sea • While three men hold together, The kingdoms are less by three In the teeth of the hard glad weather, In the blown wet face of the sea; While three men hold together, The kingdoms are less by three.
A. C. SWINEURNE.
Previous page
