The Assault

The Plea:"Lord have mercy on us,Though we have sinned:Rid our blessed England of aliens.

“Cleanse us of these demons,These rubbery fiends,Who fell in dewdrop-orbs onto England’s green.”“It sounded like the thunder Of heaven’s hoofsWhen the glassy bubbles dropped upon our roofs.“We are unworthy of your grace,Merciful God,But the fiends stain our gardens and taint our ponds.“Glorious One, bless our throngs Now on the fieldHauling trebuchets and donning armor and shield.“If our catapults and bowsDo not prevail,Then send an angel troop in misty mail.”