To Virginia, 1 May 1916

THEY'VE felled the Oaks of England,

To serve Her Grace's need!

Famed of the Royal Forests,

The best the realm could breed,

Bowed to the axe like courtiers,

Rejoicing as they fell,

For she was Queen of England,

And England loved her well.

O Loyal Oaks of England,

What if all else depart?

Dies not the faith of England

Ye drew from England's heart.

Deep calls to deep, whose voices

Echo by rock and shoal.

Give heed, for in their secrets

A ship shall find her soul.

They've launched the Oaks of England-

Was ever such a craft?

The Golden Dragon forward,

The great poop-lanterns aft.

Deep was the roar of cheering

Swelling from wharf and quay,

But deeper still the message

Came rolling in from sea:

"Be welcome, Oaks of England!

And give you good success,

As one, where ye were many,

Steadfast in selflessness,

So that ye pray by labour,

Ceaseless with might and main,

Seeking nor praise nor profit,

We give you life again!"

They've proved the Oaks of England,

Black night or windy morn,

Aching in tropic stillness

Or fighting off the Horn-

Till in a voice of thunder

The winds of Heaven spoke:

"Salute, ye gales, the pilgrim,

With heart of English Oak!

"Greeting! O Oaks of England;

Right well your fathers knew

Storms be the strength of England:

We give new strength to you."

So, through the years that followed

They faltered not, nor failed,

But, joyous, into battle

The Oaks of England sailed.

They've stripped the Oaks of England-

Watch the old ship go by,

Crowned by the golden sunset,

In patient dignity;

So on the hearths she's guarded,

That they who love may learn,

In radiant rainbow splendour

The scarred old timbers burn.

God bless the Oaks of England!

Stanch to the end they blaze,

Singing of hard-fought battles,

Praising the ancient days.

With humble heart and thankful

Search deep the crimson glow,

So shall ye win the secrets

The Oaks of England know.