"BRITISH LOSSES MIGHT."

Otago Witness, Issue 2402, 15 March 1900, Page 53

"BRITISH LOSSES MIGHT."

He stood before ine,»clad in his khaki dress; He came to bid me a last fond adieu ; Came to receive a mother's sweet caress — To dry the tears that would my cheek bedew. I parted with my boy— my gallant son ; And full of love and hope he sailed away — Sailed, to return when he had glory won. My heart was sad, though all the town Avas gay, I saw the flags, the bands, the joyous crowd Assembled there to see the troops depart ; But I was silent while they cheered so loud With cries that seemed to mock my aching heart. And soon my noble boy Avas far away, Serving his country there, 'neath Afric's

sun; While I, who loved him so, could only pray To Grod to guard and save the widow's son,

One day the news came speeding o'er the tide — "New Zealand's sons have felt the foeman's fire; Bravely they fought, and fearlessly did ride, Each worthy of his noble British sire." " Our loss was slight." So the newspapers said.

The town rejoiced again; but, ah! to me This dreadful message came, " your son is deacl. His life was lost in gaining victory ! " "Our loss was slight?"- Oh! widow Queen! my boy — M 3' gallant boy — is numbered with the slain ! My life is now bereft of every joy; J£y sobs alone accompany the strain! " Our loss was slight "? Oh ! motherland, the blest, My. Avidowed heart has given you its all ; And now I only pray for death and rest ; For life is sad as a funereal pall. Only a lad ! — but oh ! the world to rue — My love, my boy, my treasure, my delight For evermore. "Would I could go to thee And realise in Heaven " Our loss was slight ! " —THEODORE ARNOLD. 'Torth-East Valley, March 6.