Not to us for the wisdom which brought us through years of amaze,
Not to us for deliverance wrought us in perilous days,
Not to us, O omnipotent Lord, be the glory and praise!

By Thee, as of old it was written, their strong ones are bowed,
Thy might hath triumphantly smitten the haughty and proud.
The weak and the captive are chanting Thy praises aloud!

Ay, further the voice of thanksgiving is echoed and spread.
To-day all the hosts of the living are one with the dead
Are one in their worship of Thee, their invincible Head!

Inasmuch as Thine arm hath defended with brand as of flame,
Inasmuch as the battle is ended, its slaughter and shame,
Inasmuch as we strove at Thy bidding, by Thee overcame,


Inasmuch as the courage of brothers is set as a sign,
As the tender devotion of mothers is wholly divine,
As the triumph of leader and led are all utterly Thine,

Now therefore, because Thou hast broken the evil abhorred,
We turn to Thy Cross as the token that shatters the sword,
We praise Thee, we bless and adore Thee, omnipotent Lord!

St Martin’s Day, 1918.
Anthony C. Deane