Vitai Lampada

By Sir Henry Newbolt
There's a breathless hush in the close to-night
Ten to make and the match to win
A bumping pitch and a blinding light,
An hour to play, and the last man in.

And it's not for the sake of a ribboned coat.
Or the selfish hope of a season's fame,
But his captain's hand on his shoulder smote
"Play up! Play up! And play the game!"

The sand of the desert is sodden red-
Red with the wreck of the square that broke
The gatling's jammed and the colonel dead,
And the regiment blind with dust and smoke.

The river of death has brimmed its banks,
And England's far and Honour a name,
But the voice of a schoolboy rallies the ranks-
"Play up! Play up! And play the game!"

This is the word that year by year,
While in her place the school is set,
Every one of her sons must hear,
And none that hears it dare forget.
This they all with joyful mind

And bear through life Eke a torch in flame,
falling fling to the host behind-
"Play up! Play up! And play the game!"

Comments : As my friend A who forwarded this to me said, “great poem on cricket and the Empire”. Enough said. - Zen

Note : The title ‘Vitai Lampada’ is taken from a quotation by Lucretius and means 'the torch of life'.
This poem established the poet’s reputation. It symbolised Newbolt’s view that war should be fought in the same spirit as school sports. More information on the poet and the poem here and here.