“T HIS day is holy”—so sweet Spenser wrote,
Giving to Love the world's one bridal-song.
Ah! Could he see these flags together float
Where the gray pinnacles of England throng,
What bridal-song of nations would he sing!
How Shakespeare—through whose pageantry of State
Trumpets of Freedom and of Justice ring—
Our “true minds' marriage” now would celebrate!

My country's poets, foes of tyranny,
For great and generous England raise your voice;
Be yours the apocalypse of Liberty—
A vision that shall call us to rejoice.
Divine the omens of the glorious years
From these free flags—if you can see for tears!