"A British-Roman Song"

(A.D. 406)

"A Centurion of the Thirtieth"
MY father's father saw it not,
And I, belike, shall never come
To look on that so-holy spot -
That very Rome -

Crowned by all Time, all Art, all Might,
The equal work of Gods and Man,
City beneath whose oldest height -
The Race began!

Soon to send forth again a brood,
Unshakable, we pray, that clings
To Rome's thrice-hammered hardihood -
In arduous things.

Strong heart with triple armour bound,
Beat strongly, for thy life-blood runs,
Age after Age, the Empire round -
In us thy Sons

Who, distant from the Seven Hills,
Loving and serving much, require
Thee - thee to guard 'gainst home-born ills
The Imperial Fire!