Theodore Watts-Dunton, 1897
“Shakespeare’s Friend speaks.”
To sing the nation’s song, or do the deed
That crowns with richer light the motherland,
Or lend her strength of arm in hour of need,
When fangs of foes shine fierce on every hand,
Is joy to him whose joy is working well—
Is goal and guerdon too, though never fame
Should find a thrill of music in his name;
Yea, goal and guerdon too, though Scorn should aim
Her arrows at his soul’s high citadel.
But if the fates withhold the joy from me
To do the deed that widens England’s day,
Or join that song of Freedom’s jubilee
Begun when England started on her way—
Withhold from me the hero’s glorious power
To strike with song or sword for her, the mother,
And give that sacred guerdon to another,
Him will I hail as my more noble brother—
Him will I love for his diviner dower.
Enough for me who have our Shakespeare’s love
To see a poet win the poet’s goal,
For Will is he; enough and far above
All other prizes to make rich my soul.
“Christmas at the Mermaid.” The Coming of Love, and Other Poems, 1898 [1897].