II.

I labour with a hope that tells

Of harvests full and ripe;
For in each seed a promise dwells,

Of many more the type.
My trust is in the God, whose voice

The waters heard-and stood;
For he hath said, “Ye shall rejoice !"

And holds his promise good. Then “Speed the plough !" I blithely sing; With “ Speed the plough!" the echoes ring : “God speed the plough !" is Nature's voiceIts triumphs make the earth rejoice.

NATIONAL DEFENCE:

A SONG FOR THE PEOPLE.

Written in March, 1848,

DURING THE PARLIAMENTARY DISCUSSION ON THE STATE OF

OUR NATIONAL DEFENCES, OR RESOURCES FOR WAR.

"Some put their trust in chariots and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God." Ps. xx. 7.

ALBION's sturdy sons are ready,

Should a foe invade her shore,
Heart, and arms, and courage steady,

To defeat his lawless pow'r;
But no phantom, grim and gory,

Conjured from the twilight past,
Now shall beck them on, though Glory

All her spell-dreams o'er them cast.
Let our future motto be,
“God, and Peace, and Industry !"

Long enough War's purple train

Swept earth's bosom proudly o'er, Bearing down the golden grain

Destined for the peaceful store. British hearts true valour hold

'Bove a lordly heritage ; But, though ever brave and bold,

They'll no idle battles wage : This their future motto be,

• God, and Peace, and Industry !"

Their-no traitors' faith is given,

Not to yield our vantage-ground, Long preserved by fav’ring Heaven,

Belted by Old Ocean roundSee her bosom proudly bearing

Hearts of oak to keep us free, Quarrel seeking not, nor fearing

To confront foul tyranny ! Still our motto this shall be, “God, and Peace, and Industry !

SONG:

Written on the Eve of the Monster Chartist Meeting at Kennington,

April 10, 1848.

I.

There is a love of Fatherland,

Deep, deep within the breast,
Whose spell restrains the rebel hand,

Outstretch'd a sword to wrest
From Mis’ry's ranks, where, lurking gleams
The madness of despair-wrought dreams,
That shape a phantom-leader's hand
And beck to death a doomed band :

L

II.

Oh, yet a deep affection lives

In breasts made stern and fierce

By the dark strength oppression gives;

And still its ray will pierce, And burn with an undying fire

Above the flame of human ire

A beaming beacon-light 'twill stand,
The saving genius of the land !