AGAIN  wake  the  song  to  the  nation's  defenders,
The  years  of  prosperity  rise  and  increase ;
The  summer  days  glow  with  their  shadowless  splen-
dors,
And  blow  the  war-bugles  the  sweet  notes  of  peace.
Here,  here  where  the  Northmen  their  harbored  sail
shifted,
And  wondering  turned  to  the  dark  seas  again,
And  the  knights  of  the  Fleur-de-lis  gallantly  lifted
The  banners  of  Francis — awake  the  glad  strain

To  the  valor  of  old,
To  the  flag  we  behold,
And  the  twice  twenty  stars  that  our  banners  unfold  I

Sing  the  Pilgrims  of  old,  who,  by  dark  foes  sur-
rounded,
Their  lone,  tentless  way  through  the  still  forests  trod,


NUMBER  TWENTY-THREE  121

Who  knelt  by  the  Charles  and  our  Ilion  founded

On  the  hills  where  their  faces  were  lifted  to  God !
Sing,  sing  them,  these  heroes  of  history  glorious,

Who  caught  the  free  spirit  of  Cromwell  and  Vane,
And  over  the  foes  of  their  empire  victorious,
Throned  Liberty  Monarch — awake  the  glad  strain

To  the  valor  of  old,
To  the  flag  we  behold,
And  the  twice  twenty  stars  that  our  banners  unfold  I

Defenders  of  Might  to  King  George's  towns  loyal,
When  o'er  them  the  Red  Cross  of  Albion  blew;
Defenders  of  Right,  in  humanity  royal,

Beneath  the  white  stars  of  the  century  new.
