oclaimers of this land.
Because we are witnesses that the talent of our country is folded in
the fecund earth, we will speak aloud to our neighbouring Saxons of
friendly mind, and to the brotherhood of the soil throughout the
universe. We will speak with them concerning our gold, and vineyards,
and fine flour; of our forests, and fisheries, and apple orchards, till
their veins stir as with the tang of old wine. These folk have need to
know that in the North prosperity groweth widely; that here the
unbelievable is achieved. This is the true fairy-land where swineherds
and barbers, and much labouring men are raised to riches and power.
Here is a dining-hall whose friendly feast is spread for all. Here
every man may come and eat of our cakes and melons, of our honey and
fat things.

The North has no need of an interpreter: it has need of heralds. Then
ho! for our fierce and beautiful country; our strong and fertile
country.

We will send these tidings Europeward and the far-delivered message
shall not fall to the ground. It is a blithe young tune we shall sing,
with a resonant chorus of "Canada, O Canada."

Fitting is it that we should sing to the Isles of Britain, for from
them is the birth of this breed and theirs is the royal stamp we bear
upon our fighting arm. We are the wide-ruling seed of the Saxons and
ever shall we answer to the rally of the race. All hands around! We
will pledge the homeland of Britain!

And who will sing this song of the North? Sit you here till we talk of
this thing. I pray you prompt my pen as it forgets.

They have come hither to sing it from Ottawa, which is the Place of
Councils, and the sovereign city in this fair house of Canada.

Hither have they come from the tobacco plantations of Essex; the yellow
cornfields of Lambton; the luscious peach groves of Kent, and the
vineyards of Welland. These are lusty fellows and of fine fibre.

Here are men of consideration from the thick-leaved apple orchards of
Nova Scotia and from the dairy steadings of Oxford. Have you never
heard concerning the round towers of Oxford which are stacks of grain,
and of the herds of black bulls which feed fatly on her meadowlands?
Then it is small knowledge you have of this Dominion and the bright
fortunes of its people.

Others have joined our chorus who are from mailed Quebec, which is the
eye of Canada; from Montreal, whose traffickers are among the
honourable of the earth, and from Niagara,