<span>Kipling, the poet, had complicated views on empire. On the one hand, he certainly believed Britain had a right and an obligation to go abroad to the lands of the poor heathens and bring Britain's superior economic, political, and cultural offerings to them. He was strongly impacted by his time in British India and waxed poetic about it in his verse and short stories.</span>
Taken from "Land of Hope and Glory" written by lyricist A.C. Benson in 1901 and fitted into a song by request of King Edward VII of England, the author expresses his feelings on seeing a vigorous, free, and righteous kingdom. Benson mentions because of the upcoming throne transition England was about to face and the song was to be played as the <em>Coronation Ode</em>.
