POETRY

Lake County Press, Issue 2697, 30 August 1917, Page 2

POETRY

TO A FALLEN SOLDIER. The patriot in his bosom blazed In answer to his country's call; When high-born hopes were , well-nigh , razed He gave himself—his all. And now has left for us to claim Nought but a memory and a name. But Faith with ampler vision sees What Sorrow fails to comprehend ; Lift up thy face to sun and breeze, For this is not the end— Who for the right counts life as nought Is in his country's fabric, wrought. There's not a bliss in Heav'n above Would break the living bond with earth; It glorifies the stainless love That had in clay its birth ; And he, breast-forward, marches on. His weal assured, his future won. Where silence haunts the battle's wake A white cross marks his lowly bed,

And ever windy willows break In sorrow for the dead - A spot that shows the meeting-place Of loyal love and deathless grace. The life he would have kept from harm His hopes sustained, but all in vain ; And she nor heard his accents warm Nor saw his face again ; IJllt keeps a compact, dyed in red. . Between the living and the dead. God grant to us who sorrow faith To see beyond the mists of time And earth, its unsubstantial wraith, That better, happier clime Where he. clad in eternal youth. Is pledge of God's inviolate truth. On gallant lives like his laid down Our Empire and our freedom stand In love achievement, and renown— The first of all earth's land. Ay! he has left for us to claim More than a memory and a name. John W. MacLeod.