HE FELL AMONG THIEVES

[e heard the breakers thundering in Quiberon Bay
But he flew the flag for battle, line abreast.
)own upon the quicksands roaring out of sight
iercely beat the storm-wind, darkly fell the night,
•ut they took the foe for pilot and the cannon's glare

for light
When Hawke came swooping from the West.

The Frenchmen turned like a covey down the wind

When Hawke came swooping from the West ;
Dne he sank with all hands, one he caught and

pinned,

And the shallows and the storm took the rest. 10
The guns that should have conquered us they rusted

on the shore,
The men that would have mastered us they drummed

and marched no more,
For England was England, and a mighty brood she

bore
When Hawke came swooping from the West.

SIR HENRY NEWBOLT

HE FELL AMONG THIEVES
"• YE have robbed," said he, " ye have slaughtered
and made an end,
Take your ill-got plunder, and bury the dead :
What will ye more of your guest and sometime
friend ? "
" Blood for our blood," they said.
He laughed : "If one may settle the score for five,
I am ready ; but let the reckoning stand till
day : 20
I have loved the sunlight as dearly as any alive."
" You shall die at dawn," said they.