Lines On Annexation.

We honour Brother Jonathan,         For what he has done and dared;     Nobly and firmly he hath stood         His freeborn rights to guard.     And when we see him, go ahead,         We are not with envy vexed;     We wish him all prosperity         Yet will not be annexed.     We know he has much moral force;         Much that is good and great;     Much enterprise and energy,         Which we would imitate.     But there's upon his scutcheon stains,         Which we lament to see;     And will not share--will not annex--         Our soil and air are free--     And far more glorious is the flag         Which o'er the Briton waves,     Than that whose stars of freedom shine         Upon the stripes of slaves.     We love our Queen--we love our laws;         We feel that we are free--     As independently we sit,         Each 'neath his maple tree.     Serene, while over other lands         Rolls revolution's storm,     Where they can't speak their grievances--         Dare not demand reform.     We can, as freeborn subjects, make         Our wants and wishes known--     Our voices move the parliament         And vibrate to the throne.     We're Britons and as such we'll not         For annexation sue.     Our prayer is still, God save the Queen         And bless our country too.     1850.