A BATTLE PICTURE.
It is not often that a great baltlo is immortalised in poetry as soon m in the case with "the fiercest baltlo in history," fought «, few weeks ago n« Manchuria. Thero k no doubt that it londs itself to poetic and dramatic treatment more readily even (hnn some- of Iho great fights of old times and now which havo heen nuido famous in stirring verse. The first, attempt to express both thu actual scene and the underlying Hignificiince of tho battle of Mukden is made in tho following spirited poem, which Iho Westminster Budget translates from the democratic lvuropa: — Ten limes 'twas day, and ten times night, And always battle, and always fight. Tho snowstorm chilled, thu wild winds rod red, Whilo human blood liko rivers poured. On icy giound they make, their stand, The. rille drops from Iho frozen hand ; 'Bombs whiz, and shrapnel cuts tho dark, The night is lit by flume and spark. Huil lo the deual To them Fate is kind As compared to the fate of those left behind. Once more defeat, and flight onco more, Through river and wood and plain, us before : Prom all around they press and storm, Thoso "yellow devils'' in human form. Over mountains of corpses, ahead I ahead 1 Amid curses and groans of those nearly dead. Another attack! Make a firm, strong stind, Till tho lust of the corps lies dead on the sand. Tho crows in tho air croak through btorin and sleet, To tho dying car of defeat, defeat. But his is not defeat and shame Who falls and dies in the losing game. Tho tyrants who toro him from his own, Defeat is theirs, and theirs alone. Defeat od is now that power and might Which llourishod only in murky night; The paiaces whose walls arc set On soil with a nation's tears still wet. Defeated is the blood-red trail Of powers 'that ruled with knout and gaol. Defeated, priestcraft vilo and drear, Guiding thu world by lies and fear, Sets battle-gods all godN above, And crucifies the God of Love. Defeated they of haughty face, Disdainful pride of blood and race ; But victor is tho now, young day, That points to a now goal the. way— The k«hil, Humanity, which lies Beyond thfi nutionV Imttlecries. Tho East flumes with the. light of morn, 'Tis thero where- tho young day iv born.
A BATTLE PICTURE.
Evening Post, Volume LXIX, Issue 118, 20 May 1905, Page 13
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