Rank and File.

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 13708, 14 March 1917, Page 8

Rank and File.

Drum-taps! Drum-taps! Who is it. marching, Marching past in the night? Ah, mark, Draw your curtains aside and see Endless ranks of the stars o'cr-arch-Endless ranks of an army marching, Marching out of the measureless dark,. Marching to Eternity. See the gleam of white sad faces Moving steadily, row on row, Marching away to tiie hopeless wars; Drum-taps, drum-taps, where are they marching? Terrible, beautiful, human faces, Common as dirt, but softer than snow.. Coarser than clay, but calm as the stars. i Dare you dream their trust in Eternity Broken, O you to whom prayers aro vain, You who dream that their God is dead 9 Take your answer—these millions marching Out of Eternity, into Eternity, These that smiled, "We shall meet again." Even as the life from their loved one fled. Marching out of the endless ages, Marching out of the dawn of time, Endless columns of unknown men, Endless ranks of the stars o'cr-arch-ing, Endless ranks of an army marching Numberless out of the numberless ages, Men out of every race and clime, Marching steadily now as then. —Alfred Noyes.