Emily Pauline Johnson

Guard of the Eastern Gate

    Halifax sits on her hills by the sea
        In the might of her pride, -
    Invincible, terrible, beautiful, she
        With a sword at her side.

    To right and to left of her, battlements rear
        And fortresses frown;
    While she sits on her throne without favour or fear
        With her cannon as crown.

    Coast guard and sentinel, watch of the weal
        Of a nation she keeps;
    But her hand is encased in a gauntlet of steel,
        And her thunder but sleeps.