Defense, But Not Defiance Poem by Samuel Lover

Song For The Rifle Volunteers Of Great Britain In General


Come, let our silver bugles ring-
(The gift of grateful beauty)
Whene'er they call we'll gaily spring
To do a soldier's duty.
Our banner fair a vow records
On which we build reliance,
To guide our aim, to bless our swords-
'Defence, but not Defiance.'

Chor.
Then let our silver bugles ring, &c.


Our banner yet unchalleng'd flies,
A homely motto bearing,
Long may it float in peaceful skies-
Record no deed of daring;
To Britain's ancient glory we
May point with safe reliance,
So let our quiet motto be-
'Defence, but not Defiance.'

Chor.
Then let our, &c.


Let Victory spread her crimson wing
At despots' dark invoking,
For us-to war we'll never spring
Unless at dire provoking.
No lust of foreign glory stains
The Volunteer's affiance,
He would but guard his native plains-
'Defence, but not Defiance.'

Chor.
Then let our, &c.


Like other dogs, 'the dogs of war'
Have different modes of fighting:
Of one-the bark is worse by far;
Of t'other-worse the biting.
On such a fight-the money down-
I'll bet, with safe reliance,
And name the stake-a British crown-
'Defence' will beat 'Defiance.'

Chor.
Then let our, &c.