The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-02-04

IL.
cellently presented Accept my best
tanks, being especially interested:
ROBERT WHITTET.
WHERE is THE Flag OF ENG
CA reply to Laboucheres poem with this
title)
The winds of the world give answer,
List to their story Well
For tits the record of honor
A gospel of Good-they tell.
Wherever man roamed q savage
The flag OF the Briton went.
And carried the blessings of freedom,
And Mercy'S messages sent.
The signing breeze of the tawny East
Whispers it's grateful song,
How the hands that upheld the emblem
With it brought succor along
Brought succor TO starving and wretched,
Taught them in virtue to rise
Gave them examples of valor,
And drilled their Quill hearts to be wise.
The winds of the West send the tale,
How the land where wigwam fires
Once burned on the Iesoiate heath
Are sraced with religions spires;
And cheerful chimes of psalm and hymn
HIVE replaced the war-whoop,s yell,
Because the foot of the Briton went
OF heavens best love to tell.
The chilly winds of the frozen North.
Float down with cadent swell,
In trcm,nous haste TO voice their cheer,
And love for that flag to tell;
Cannuc and Gaui stand hand III hand,
Embraced in its ample too,
Grateful to know their peace is safe,
Watched Ger by the Lion bold.
The savage Maori-no longer wild
Has his blanket cast aside.
And arrayed in the Garb of peace,
Stands by the Briton's side
And tells in eloquent speech how much
Has come to his people rude
From the tight little isle" of the flag
That symbols the brave and good.
Now it floats DER scenes where pillaSe,
And bIood-stained deeds of shame,
Were once the marnuder's JOY.
as he ravished with sword and flame'
But now. in the light OF freedom,
The dwcl!ers therein look back,
And acknowledge their source of welfare
The reign of the Union Jack
Go to each isle of the ocean.
Or travel DER continents wide,
Each spot that owns its blisSful rule
Hath peace that will abide;
And each land where it waves is blest
IN its hearths.c bet palace or cot,
For there is cOntentnlcnt. and peace
Meath it is the peoples lot.
But some are blind to the worlds ad-
To the good right under their nose.
And win not own, in the march of right,
lhat flag in the vanguard goes!
Their bigotted vision. too narrow to grasp
The breadth OF protection it throws
Der the weak, would throttle It's pain,
And thwart where its strong arm
shows.
Life. All-all-must own to SHINING!
And England's hoary past
Presents, perhaps, some darkened shades
Ger her long history cast:
But ah, her pulsing heart has given
Warm welcome to the light.
And in the, foremost march OF truth,
Victoria'S reign shines bright.
Though England sinned in olden time,
Her flag is to the world
Ine highest type of liberty.
10 every eye unfur!ed!
me leads in lne apostle host
VINO fight each barbarous rite.
And strive the down-trod ones to save
From curse of death or blight.
Nor may fierce lightnins's lurid flash,
Whether Of battle or storm
Hinder its GOd-given mission.
The wrongs mong men to reform;
And the hero hands that hold it
Aloft in Afric's cline,
Are stron. in might by power OF right
Theirs is truths march sublime.
Triumph it husband let none dare
10 stay its march! The world would
weep
In mourning ashes should it fail
Its prophecies OF good to keep;
For in its folds. a Sacred trust,
The veal of myriads lie.
Which. undeveloped. could but cause
The brotherhood of man to sigh.
Then hurrah for that hag!-the British
flag
May it float aloft Away,
And shed the halo OF Righteousness
Ger the peoples under its sway;
And they've gone from the ends of Garth
Strong to defend its glory!
Oh, may the God of battles dcign
TO confirm its denthless story,
ROBERT WHITTET.
Richmond. Va.