Poetry Archives

Drake in the North Sea grimly prowling,
  Treading his dear Revenge’s deck,
Watched, with the sea-dogs round him growling,
  Galleons drifting wreck by wreck.
  “Fetter and Faith for England’s neck,
  Faggot and Father, Saint and chain,——
Yonder the Devil and all go howling,
  Devon, O Devon, in wind and rain!

Drake at the last off Nombre lying,
  Knowing the night that toward him crept,
Gave to the sea-dogs round him crying,
  This for a sign before he slept:——
  “Pride of the West! What Devon hath kept
  Devon shall keep on tide or main;
Call to the storm and drive them flying,
  Devon, O Devon, in wind and rain!”

Valour of England gaunt and whitening,
  Far in a South land brought to bay,
Locked in a death-grip all day tightening,
  Waited the end in twilight gray.
  Battle and storm and the sea-dog’s way!
  Drake from his long rest turned again,
Victory lit thy steel with lightning,
  Devon, o Devon, in wind and rain!