Poem translation

The language used in James Thomson’s “Rule, Britannia!” may seem complex and old-fashioned due to its age. The following is a paraphrase or translation of the poem into modern English, with special attention given to more difficult words and phrases in the line -by -line analysis.
 

Stanza 1:
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.’
 

Stanza 2

The nations, not so blest as thee,
Must, in their turns, to tyrants fall;
While thou shalt flourish great and free,
The dread and envy of them all.

‘Rule, Britannia! rule the waves:
Britons never will be slaves.’
 

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