This page needs to be proofread.
282 WILLIAM WATSON
They guard thy maiden daughters From worse than death or pain ;
The men who ward the waters. The men who man the main.
When navies meet and wrestle,
And their vast arms strike home — Vessel with monstrous vessel
Matched on the flame-lit foam — What fleet returns in glory ?
What fleet makes haste to fly ? O Sea, that knowest our story.
Thou, thou canst best reply !
Then hail to all who gave us
Their might of arm and soul, Hot and athirst to save us.
To heal, and keep us whole ; Whether they serve where yonder
Far-burrowing trenches run. Or where the ocean thunder
Peals with the thundering gun.
— William Watson.
�� �
