Sir William Gomm - Sonnets

I.     At threescore years and five aroused anew     To rule in India, forth a soldier went     On whose bright-fronted youth fierce war had spent     Its iron stress of storm, till glory grew     Full as the red sun waned on Waterloo.     Landing, he met the word from England sent     Which bade him yield up rule: and he, content,     Resigned it, as a mightier warriors due;     And wrote as one rejoicing to record     That from the first his royal heart was lord     Of its own pride or pain; that thought was none     Therein save this, that in her perilous strait     England, whose womb brings forth her sons so great,     Should choose to serve her first her mightiest son. II.     Glory beyond all flight of warlike fame     Go with the warriors memory who preferred     To praise of men whereby mens hearts are stirred,     And acclamation of his own proud name     With blare of trumpet-blasts and sound and flame     Of pageant honour, and the titular word     That only wins men worship of the herd,     His countrys sovereign good: who overcame     Pride, wrath, and hope of all high chance on earth,     For this lands love that gave his great heart birth.     O nursling of the sea-winds and the sea,     Immortal England, goddess ocean-born,     What shall thy children fear, what strengths not scorn,     While children of such mould are born to thee?