A mocking question! Britain’s answer came + 

Swift as the light and searching as the flame. + 

“Yes, for a scrap of paper we will fight + 

Till our last breath, and God defend the right! + 

“A scrap of paper where a name is set + 

Is strong as duty’s pledge and honor’s debt. + 

“A scrap of paper holds for man and wife + 

The sacrament of love, the bond of life. + 

“A scrap of paper may be Holy Writ + 

With God’s eternal word to hallow it. + 

“A scrap of paper binds us both to stand + 

Defenders of a neutral neighbor land. + 

“By God, by faith, by honor, yes! We fight + 

To keep our name upon that paper white.” + 