The following poem titled ‘Ode to England’ was written in 1855 and published in the London Journal (8 September issue). It has been transcribed by Stephen Basdeo.

Of all nations of the earth

Fair England, thou my place of birth,

Art dearest, bravest, best, thou gem

Set in Liberty’s diadem!

Go search the world from east to west,

Behold! It’s bravest and it’s best—

From the rising of the sun

Till his glorious race be run.

Behold the nations in his course,

Of all the rest thine eye, perforce,

Must rest on one, thou gem of earth!

No land which time hath given birth

Can equal thee, thou Prince of Earth!