Geoffrey Wall
NOT by frantic party strife,
Not by self-sufficient scorn,
May we mould a nation’s life,
Not by such are Empires born.
After these shall rise a race
Calm, and sane in law and word,
Born to peace, but quick to face
Threatened peril with the sword.
Free from fear of priest and crown,
Trammelled not by jealous creed,
Not by hoary custom bound,
Shaping laws unto their need.
All the Briton’s sturdy brood,
Toned by milder tropic skies,
Realize the brotherhood
Dreamt of through the centuries.
Great in art, and great in power,
Circled by the wind-swept seas,
Reaping Nature’s untold dower,
God shall smile on such as these.
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Analysis (AI Assisted)
This poem looks forward to a future shaped not by division or outdated traditions, but by reason, strength, and unity. It rejects the idea that political fights or arrogance can build a lasting empire. Instead, it argues that a strong nation comes from people who are thoughtful, adaptable, and willing to defend themselves when necessary. There’s an optimism here, a belief that future generations will be freer, fairer, and more capable of shaping their own destiny than those before them.
The poem describes this new generation as balanced—peaceful but not weak, independent but not reckless. It envisions a world where laws are created based on the needs of the people rather than dictated by outdated institutions. The mention of the “Briton’s sturdy brood” suggests that strength runs deep in the culture, but now it will be softened by a different environment, symbolized by “milder tropic skies.” There’s an idea that people will evolve beyond the rigid structures of the past while still holding onto their core resilience.
This vision isn’t just about survival; it’s about progress. The poem describes a future where art, power, and prosperity grow together, and where nature itself provides endless resources. There’s a religious tone in the last line, as if this kind of society would be favored by God. The final image of “wind-swept seas” surrounding this future nation reinforces the idea of strength, movement, and limitless possibility.
At its core, the poem reflects both hope and expectation. It acknowledges the struggles of the present but sees them as temporary, something that will eventually give way to a better, more unified world. It doesn’t just dream of peace and progress—it insists that they are coming, as if history itself is moving in that direction.