Percy Shelley

English Romantic Period http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-new-national-anthem/ This poem by Percy Shelley takes an interesting view of the national anthem. It shows a time of branching out to alternate views. This poem brings attention to England's state of oppression at this time. The English people are working hard at this time, but the royalty and government are taking the power. The system was taking advantage of the people are taking all of their wealth, so Shelley wrote the poem in order to convey her thoughts of this matter. Shelley references Marxism and basically just expresses her views about politics through this poem in a fun way! It fits into the English Romantic Period and was published in 1819.

A New National Anthem

I.
God prosper, speed,and save,
God raise from England’s grave
Her murdered Queen!
Pave with swift victory
The steps of Liberty,
Whom Britons own to be
Immortal Queen.

II.
See, she comes throned on high,
On swift Eternity!
God save the Queen!
Millions on millions wait,
Firm, rapid, and elate,
On her majestic state!
God save the Queen!

III.
She is Thine own pure soul
Moulding the mighty whole,--
God save the Queen!
She is Thine own deep love
Rained down from Heaven above,--
Wherever she rest or move,
God save our Queen!

IV.
‘Wilder her enemies
In their own dark disguise,--
God save our Queen!
All earthly things that dare
Her sacred name to bear,
Strip them, as kings are, bare;
God save the Queen!

V.
Be her eternal throne
Built in our hearts alone--
God save the Queen!
Let the oppressor hold
Canopied seats of gold;
She sits enthroned of old
O’er our hearts Queen.

VI.
Lips touched by seraphim
Breathe out the choral hymn
‘God save the Queen!’
Sweet as if angels sang,
Loud as that trumpet’s clang
Wakening the world’s dead gang,--
God save the Queen! 

Percy Bysshe Shelley