Britannia's Song. With Colonies' Chorus

"A singular lady who turns a page
And owns with pride increase of age."

—Cleghorn's "Dreams."

Air: "Blue mood" in "lolanthe."

Britannia (alone on stage):

Ah Neptune, cruel fate
Has laid us low now,
Tridents are out of date
And useless too now.
Leo has cast his crown,
I must my shield lay down,
Since fate is sure to frown;
What shall we do now?
Ah me, ah me!
Oh, Whither can we turn
For helping hands I yearn,
Pray, am I one to spurn?
Ah me, ah me!

Chorus (outside):
Hark! "Tis Britannia cries,
Tears dim heraldic eyes,
Come, aid her where she sighs,
Ah me, ah me!

Britannia :
Is this the voice I hear
Of bold Australia?
New Zealand too draws near
In full regalia.
Afric and Canada,
Bringing from near and far
All their peculiar
Paraphernalia.

Chorus
(in a depressed manner):
Ah me, ah me!

Britannia (brightly):
Small need I fear the foe,
Small need to strike the blow,
England can still lie low.

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Chorus (shaking heads):
Ah me, ah me!
We then must bear the brunt,
Sharpen our weapons blunt,
And all our foes confront,
Ah me, ah me!

Britannia:
I do not crave command
Of things aerial,
Who stands at my right hand
Is immaterial,
So I can rule the sea,
And keep my people free,
By letting all things be
With calm imperial.

Chorus:
Ah me, ah me!

Britannia:
What if old England sleep,
Her Colonies will keep,
Dominion o'er the deep.

Chorus:
Ah me, ah me!
She leaves it all to us,
Dreadnought and blunderbuss,
Without the slightest fuss.
Ah me, ah me!