Writer Of Renown

British Author and Poet Sir Henry Newbolt was born in eighteen sixty two, and died one year prior to the Second World War. Sir Henry was very well educated at Clifton College, being 'Called to the Bar' at an early age. He wrote famous poems on the Sea and the Navy... The Year of Trafalgar Naval History of the War Songs of the Sea. The list of his literary work is endless. Two of my favourite poems written by Sir Henry Newbolt are ~ Admirals All and Vitai Lampada. I still quote the latter 'off by heart' from my schooldays; I now take the opportunity - for the QUEEN'S OFFICIAL BIRTHDAY and the sporting season, to type just twelve lines from a longer poem... Vitai Lampada by Sir Henry Newbolt: There's a breathless hush in the Close tonight Ten to make and the match to win. A bumping pitch and a blinding light An hour to play and the last man in. And it's not for the sake of a ribbonned coat Or the selfish hope of a season's fame But the Captain's hand on his shoulder smote Play up! play up! And play the game! This they all, with a joyful mind Bear through life, like a torch in flame And falling fling to the host behind, Play up! play up! And play the game! ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... How wonderful a Poet was The Great Sir Henry Newbolt.