The Anvil

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England's on the anvil-hear the hammers ring-
 Clanging from the Severn to the Tyne!
Never was a blacksmith like our Norman King-
 England's being hammered, hammered, hammered into line!

England's on the anvil!  Heavy are the blows!
 (But the work will be a marvel when it's done.)
Little bits of Kingdoms cannot stand against their foes.
 England's being   hammered  hammered, hammered into one!

There shall be one people-it shall serve one Lord-
  (Neither Priest nor Baron shall escape!)
It shall have one  speech  and  law,  soul  and  strength  and  sword.
 England's  being  hammered,  hammered,  hammered  into shape!

© Rudyard Kipling