Rudyard Kipling

«A History of England». 1911. 5. The Anvil

              Norman Conquest, 1066

ENGLAND'S on the anvil-hear the hammers ring- 
      Clanging from the Severn to the Tyne!
Never was a blacksmith like our Norman King-
      England's being hammered, hammered, hammered into line!
   
England's on the anvil! Heavy are the blows!
      (But the work will be a marvel when it's done.)
Little bits of Kingdoms cannot stand against their foes.
      England's being hammered hammered, hammered into one!

There shall be one people-it shall serve one Lord-
       (Neither Priest nor Baron shall escape!)
It shall have one speech and law, soul and strength and sword.
      England's being hammered, hammered, hammered into shape!