The Bengali Book of English Verse/Indians at the Front (Roby Datta)

by Roby Datta

Indians at the Front.

Fight for the cause of Britain and of right,
Ye Indians brave, and lay the tyrant low,
A 'cultured' yet at heart a savage foe,
That dares astound the world with ruthless might.

For peace, for commerce and for freedom fight,
Fight to relieve a hapless nation's woe,
That in the cause of all the world did throw
Her lot in with your king in terror's spite.

Your country needs no tyrant's lip-deep lore
Her old enlightenment to vindicate,
That placed her high among the states of yore:

For valour India always has been great,
And ye are India's sons, and—what is more—
Fit partners of a world-embracing State.