Guernsey Poem by Martin Farquhar Tupper

Guernsey! to me and in my partial eyes
Thou art a holy and enchanted isle,
Where I would linger long, and muse the while
On 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 seagirt 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!