Rule Britannia
By James Thomson
When Britain first, at heaven’s command,
Arose from out the azure main,
This was the charter of the land,
And guardian angels sung this strain—
“Rule, Britannia, rule the waves;
Britons never will be slaves.”The nations, not so blest as thee,
Must in their turns to tyrants fall;
While thou shalt flourish great and free,
The dread anritannia, rule the waves;Britons never will be slaves.”
Still more majestic shalt thou rise,
More dreadful from each foreign stroke;
As the loud blast that tears the skies
Serves but to root thy native oak.
“Rule, Britannia, rule the waves;
Britons never will be slaves.”Thee haughty tyrants ne’er shall tame;
All their attempts to bend thee down,Will but arouse thd envy of them all.
“Rule, By generous flame,But work their woe and thy renown.
“Rule, Britannia, rule the waves;
Britons never will be slaves.”To thee belongs the rural reign;
Thy cities shall with commerce shine;
All thine shall be the subject main,
And every shore it circles thine.
“Rule, Britannia, rule the waves;
Britons never will be slaves.”The Muses, still with freedom found,
Shall to thy happy coast repair:
Blest isle! with matchless beauty crowned,
And manly hearts to guard the fair.
“Rule, Britannia, rule the waves;
Britons never will be slaves.”
Summary of Rule Britannia
- Popularity of “Rule Britannia”: The poem ‘Rule Britannia’ written by James Thomson, a famous British poet, lyricist, and writer. It is a highly nationalistic poetic rendition. It was published in 1740 and instantly hit the public cords. Later, Thomas Arne set it to music in 1741, making it a public song. Even though it was originally associated exclusively with the Royal Navy, it was later expanded to include all branches of the Royal Army. The uniqueness of the poem lies in the blind faith the poet has demonstrated in the British resilience, democratic norms, and indomitable will to survive dictatorial attacks like that of the ancient invasions. Yet, the poem expands its scope beyond the confines of patriotism.
- “Rule Britannia” As a Representative of Great Britain’s Power: The poem, although written as a song,set the stage for more national anthems of other countries. The poem begins with James Thomson acknowledging the divine basis of Britain, asserting that the country is not only endowed with earthly benefits but also with divine favor. He adds his prayers that Britain should rule the world and that the British will never be slaves. The second stanza, as before, establishes the foundation for the same patriotic sentiments towards Britain, emphasizing its exclusive divine blessings that distinguish it from any other nation. Moreover, it underscores the perception of Britain by other nations, which is a mixture of both envy and fear. Even its rise would be dreadful that dictators would not look upon it and that its urban and rural areas would flourish with the same gusto and enthusiasm. The poet, in the final stanza, calls upon the Muse to beseech for the eternal preservation of the British isle, desiring that no other nation may ever rival its exquisite beauty and the strength of its protectors. As the end of each stanza approaches, the familiar strain of “Rule Britannia” has transformed into a recurring refrain that is repeated without fail.
- Major Themes in “Rule Britannia”: Patriotism, nationalism, and love for one’s motherland are three major thematic strands of this poem. The poem opens with the limitless patriotism of the poet, calling his country a divine gift, having divine blessings. The next three stanzas are steeped with patriotism, praise of Britain, its power to withhold against the dictators, its prosperity, its glory, its pomp and show, its rural and urban development, and above all, its freedom and freedom guardians. This shows how one loves one’s motherland like that shown in the poem.
Analysis of Literary Devices Used in Rule Britannia
literary devices serve as tools that writers use to enhance and add depth to their writings. James Thomson also used some literary devices in this poem. The examples are given below.
- Assonance: Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in the same line,such as the sound of /i/ in “The Muses, still with freedom found” and /e/ in “The dread and envy of them all”.
- Alliteration: Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds in the same line, such as the sound of /f/ in “freedom found”, the sound of /r/ in “rural reign”, the sound of /m/ in “more majestic”, and the sound of /t/ in “turns to tyrants”.
- Consonance: Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds in the same line, such as the sound of /l/ and /r/ in “While thou shalt flourish great and free”, the sound of /r/, /t and /l/ in Still more majestic shalt thou rise” and the sound of /t/ in “Thee haughty tyrants ne’er shall tame”.
- Imagery: Imagery is used to make readers perceive things involving their five senses. James Thomson used imagery in this poem, such as “This was the character of the land”, “While thou shalt flourish great and free” and “Still more majestic shalt thou rise”.
- Metaphor: It is a figure of speech in which an implied comparison is made between the objects that are different in nature. The poet used the extended metaphor of his country, comparing it with a great living thing that is constantly flourishing with the divine blessings.
- Personification: Personification is to give human qualities to inanimate objects. The poet personified Britain as having life and emotions of its own.
- Symbolism: Symbolism is using symbols to signify ideas and qualities, giving them symbolic meanings that are different from the literal meanings. Land, angels, and blessings are symbols of divine blessing.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in Rule Britannia
Poetic and literary devices are the same, but a few are used only in poetry. Here is the analysis of some of the poetic devices used in this poem.
- Diction: The poem shows highly descriptive diction having figurative language. It also shows an optimistic and happy tone.
- Rhyme Scheme: The poem follows ABABCC in each of its six-lined stanzas.
- Repetition: There is a repetition of the verses “Rule, Britannia, rule the waves” at the end of each stanza.
- Refrain: The lines occurring repeatedly at some distance in a poem are called a refrain. The verse “Britons never will be slaves” and its first line.
- Stanza: A stanza is a poetic form of some lines. There are six stanzas in this poem, with each comprising six verses.
Quotes to be Used
These lines from “Rule Britannia” are apt to be used when delivering a lecture on democracy.
Thee haughty tyrants ne’er shall tame;
All their attempts to bend thee down,
Will but arouse thy generous flame,
But work their woe and thy renown.
“Rule, Britannia, rule the waves;
Britons never will be slaves.”
