Guernsey ! to me and in my partial eyes
Thou art a holy and enchanted isle,
Where I would linger long, and muse the while
Of ancient thoughts and solemn memories,
Quickening the tender tear or pensive smile:
Guernsey!—for nearly thrice a hundred years
Home of my fathers! refuge from their fears,
And haven to their hope—when long of yore
Fleeing Imperial Charles and bloody Rome
Protestant martyrs to thy sea-girt shore
They came to seek a temple and a home,
And found thee generous—I, their son, would pour
My heartfull all of praise and thanks to thee,
Island of welcomes—friendly, frank, and free!