April 27th Poem by Richard Elwes

After hearing the
Prime Minister
AQpril 27th: 1941

My God, I thank Thee that my course is set,
with others of thy choosing, at this hour;
to see the right discerned, the challenge met,
and battle given to the evil power;
To share the upward thrusting to the light
And know the grandeur of the stony ways;
To know the heart's contentment in the fight,
O God, with our election in these days.
Too great inheritance and too much ease
cheat mortal vision of immortal things:
these ardours and assaults, this fiery faith
and all the purifying blaze it brings,
this part of Champion and this march of Death!