Stand Firm!

Beware! The sword of England Is in your hand to keep: Look that it be not tarnished Nor pilfered in your sleep. As you shall dare or falter You mould our England's fate; We charge you, lead our people To keep their country great! Beware! Lest in your blindness, Your folly and your pride, You fling the strength that guards us All wantonly aside: Lest, when you turn for safety To vaunted sword and shield, Your arm, so strong aforetime, Be grown too weak to wield. The traveller armed for combat May tread the bandit's cave; The hunter with his weapons The snarling pack may brave; But if unarmed and helpless He dares his way to wend, The thief shall bind and rob him, The wolf shall turn and rend. Beware! Lest in your striving To make your might secure, You win for lasting portion The shame that shall endure: The scorning and the spurning Of ages yet unborn; The wrath of strong men helpless, The curse of Samson shorn. By England and her honour, Her people and her Throne, By all she is, and has been, We charge you hold your own. By all you hold most holy, By all your burdening powers, Be true to those who follow, Keep faith with us and ours!