Spain’s cruel Inquisition burns
Our brethren whom they take,
But, the tide of death now turns
The bark of gallant Drake,
For vengeance launched a rich town,
Shall give to spoil and flame,
Nay more, a Spanish crew drown
For every martyr’s name. Chorus.
Proudest Admirals shall quail
Before thy genius, Drake,
And their lofty galleons sail
As captives in thy wake;
Gold and gems, for Idols meant,
In heaps thy bark shall load—
And be to England’s Queen sent,
Price of her seamen’s blood. Chorus.
Drake! heroic name of fear!
With England’s flag unfurled,
Startled every Spaniard’s ear,
As first he round the world;
His bold untrodden course stood,
Eternal fame to build,
And his country, great and good,
With joy and wealth he filled! Chorus.
On wild Panama he stood,
And from its palm-clad height,
Gazed on broad Pacific’s flood,
So calm in golden light—
Thence his fancy strayed abroad,
Dreaming of wonders there,
Then he turned his thoughts to God
And poured his soul in prayer. Chorus
Be mine, Lord, the favoured keel
To cross that unknown waste;
And that, through my country’s weal,
Benighted man be blessed:
Not with gold alone for freight—
Nor yet to fight for fame;
To belt the globe with holy light,
The Glory of Thy Name! Chorus.
My ship with the glittering ore
Carries more precious load,
The Bible, which ne’er before
Hath journeyed o’er that flood:
Let me, in Thy Name, first bear
The message of Thy Peace,
“Woe! down-trodden dry thy tear,
Thy rod oppression cease.” Chorus.
England is the Bible’s land,
The Guardian of The Word!
True to trust she safe shall stand—
More safe than by the Sword!
By Thee elected let her fill
Her mission o’er the wave,
Just and faithful! Be it still,
The lost to seek and save. Chorus.
Oh! Freedom’s is the Ocean!
Our Island is its Queen!
The billows pay devotion,
Around her robed in green:
No Despot shall his flag wave
Upon its chainless roll!
Ocean loves the Free and Brave!
’Tis Ours from Pole to Pole! Chorus.
The chorus is taken up by all present, especially the sailors. At the conclusion of the song, much excitement and enthusiasm with confusion among the sailors, subdued with difficulty by the officers—The Queen rises.
Queen (with much emotion). Brave men! My heart is too full for speech—But even did my feelings permit, what words could measure the daring of your souls, or the greatness of your achievements. You have filled the world with wonder, like the Demigods of fable. Your country and eternal fame can alone requite you—You have my heart, my love! I thank you, and drink to all your healths. (Great cheering, the Queen comes forward. Efforts are made by Drake and the leading men to restore order.)