A modest wreath of our own simple bay!

Shamrock and thistle and sweet roses gay,

Both red and white, with parted lips that smile,

Like some bright maiden of their native isle—

These, with the later maple, take, we pray,

To mingle with thy laurelled lily, long

Pride of the brave and theme of poet's song.

They err who deem us aliens. Are not we

Bretons and Normans, too? North, south and west

Gave us, like you, of blood and speech their best,