Churchill!

A champion of our time;

In deed a champion for all time.

This was his finest hour

Where insight and leadership brought candour.

Lord of the Admiralty, first!

Tireless and unrelentless in thirst.

The Bulldog in his tenacity

Set to the threat in full capacity.

Respect commanded was well earned,

To extend beyond the achievements, the learn'd

might recall the strength of His will

and a belief that the threat shall He still.

We shall fight on the beaches...

Every man, woman and child reached,

Stirred by the poetry of such speech,

Committed to hold the Nation unbreached.

Amicus humani generis!

A friend to the survival of a free human race!

Resistance and dedication imparted,

relentless in pursuit of Victory.

Those who criticise are too selfish to appraise

The sacrifice of energy and of self,

Disciplined to the fullest extent,

To hold fast and stand without relent.

Nelson commanded his armada,

Upon the broken deck firm and intent.

Shot and fusillade faced with sheer bravada,

Defeat having no place and Victory the sole portent.

The service given to King and Country equitable and equivalent.

Both Admirals admirable in achievement.

One upon the high seas sailed,

The other on land rebuked Hitler's assail.

Freedom from tyranny of the many.

Gained by the action of this conservative's medley.

Insight and forethought, a fount of harmony,

Without which Europe would have succumbed to the boot of the Nazi.

Nietzsche made a mark and in philosophy strode toward strength.

Churchill in his resolve strengthened the weak and fought at length.

Virtue may be preserved in a Christian mould

And God may grant his words of wisdom forever may be retold.

Blood, sweat and tears the offer.

The cost of Victory, one word,

Worthy of a statesman who had held arms,

Who in his heart embraced his country loyally.

King and Monarch were attributed importance.

The Empire held sacredly and of the utmost significance.

The end of the beginning and the beginning of the end.

A reality compromised in its emancipation.

It is easier for those distant to revere,

The hero of that most important hour.

Yet it should be recognized that his price of valour

Took more than we all may have wished for!

 We shall not surrender!

There is no greater gift than giving of self!

Motive may be questioned and open to resentment,

Where failure would have been imminent.

Sir Winston Churchill rose and absolved the incompetent!

The wounds incurred taken upon ego and upon health.

The vision of the young bestowed to build the dream.

Honor virtutis præmium!

2004 © Will George