So let the songsmith
Proffer his rhyme-gift,
England my mother,
Maker of men.
Gray grows thy count'nance,
Full of the ages;
Time on thy forehead
Sits like a dream:
Song is the potion
All things renewing,
Youth's one elixir,
Fountain of morn.
Thou, at the world-loom
Weaving thy future,
Fitly may'st temper
Toil with delight.
Deemest thou, labour
Only is earnest?
Grave is all beauty,
Solemn is joy.
Song is no bauble--
Slight not the songsmith,
England my mother,
Maker of men.