Those Who Remember and Those Who Forget

Maoriland Worker, Volume 14, Issue 3, 23 January 1924, Page 1

Those Who Remember and Those Who Forget

TMs poem by Alfred Noyes was originally published with the tatlte "The Victory Ball." It was -reprinted in a "Daily Herald" Armistice' u__~ versary edition. ■ The .cymbals crash, And the dancers walk, With long silk stockings And arms of chalk, .Butterfly skirts, And white breasts hare, - And shadows of dead men Watching 'em there. Shadows of dead men . . . , • Stand by the wall, .' , . : Watching the fun ' . Of the Victory '.Ball. They do not reproachj Because they know; . If they're forgotten, , It's better so. ... f .. • ' ' "What do you think We should find," said a.sha_*<"When tbe last shot echoed And peace ,was made? »» "Christ," laughed the fleshless Jaws of his friend; "I thought they'd bo pra3'ing For worlds to mond; "Making earth better, Or sonic-tiling silly, Lake whitewashing heill Or Piicca-flam-dilly. They've a sense of humour, These women of ours Th&so exquisite lilies, >•'.'' Those fresh young flowers!" / "Pish!" said a statesman Standing there : ! "I'm glad they can bus'P Their thoughts elsewhere! We mustn't reproach 'em, They're young, you see." "Ah. ' said tho dead men, - "So were we!" Victory! Victory! On with the dance! Back'to the jungle The new'beasts prance! -, God! how the dead'men-' . Grin by the wall, :P' : Watching the fun Pi' Of the Victory Ball! >