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I Vow to Thee, My Country
Sir Cecil Arthur Spring-Rice
About Sir Cecil Arthur Spring-Rice
Sir Cecil Arthur Spring-Rice (1859 − 1918) was educated at Eton School, and then at Balliol College, Oxford. After University, he joined the Diplomatic Crops, Spring-Rice went on to the become the British Charge d' Affaires in Tehran (1900), Commissioner of Public Debt in Cairo (1901) and charge d' Affairs in St.Petersburg (1903). In 1906, he went on to serve in Pwersia and Sweden (1908) before his appointment as ambassador to the United States in 1912. He wrote the text for the hymn I Vow to Thee, My Country after being fired by the British government - in a one-line telegram!
I vow to thee, my country−all earthly things above−
Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love,
The love that asks no question: the love that stands the test,
That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best:
The love that never falters, the love that pays the price,
The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.
And there's another country I 've heard of long ago−
Most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know−
We may not count her armies: we may not see her King−
Her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering−
And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase,
And her ways are ways of gentleness and all her paths are peace.
− Sir Cecil Arthur Spring-Rice
Available Answers
- 1.
That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best
- What does 'that' refer to here?
- Why does the poet use the term 'alter'?
- What 'final sacrifice' is the poet willing to make and why?
- What does the poet pledge to his country?
- What do these lines lines reveal about the poet's character?
- 2.
We may not count her armies; we may not see her king-
- Which country does the poet belong to?
- Name the country referred to in these lines.
- Why is the 'king' of this country extend its boundaries?
- How does this country extend its boundaries?
- State two differences between the countries mentioned in the poem.
- 3.
Would you be willing to sacrifice everything for your country? What does the word 'patriot' mean for you?
- 4.
Peace is important for human progress. How far is this statement true? Give examples to support your answer.
- 5.
Give examples of alliteration from the poem you have just read.
- 6.
What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?
2 more answer(s) available.