The King's Prayer

We thank Thee, Lord, for making us
Respectful, staunch and virtuous,
Inclined to listen, not to fight,
Except, of course, when we are right.

We thank Thee for those wells profound
Of tolerance we've spread around,
In which we bask entirely free
Of lesser breeds' complacency.

We thank Thy just and awful might
Which keeps our passions so polite,
And helps us on that civil way
Which made us what we are today.

In unity discreet yet stout
Where others are inclined to shout,
We thank Thee, and Thy bounty bless
For this our special Britishness.

Charles Mansion