DOWN -HEARTED ?

Otago Witness, Issue 3352, 12 June 1918, Page 55

DOWN -HEARTED ?

Away with dire forebodings, With faces pale and drawn— The Night is ever darKest In the hour before the Dawn; Havo full faith in the Leader; Trust him, trust him to know Each several hap that may befall, Each pulsing, be it great or small, Of the battle's ebb and flow. Though the very Earth is shaking, Ho stands with Soul serene, His hand upon the lever Of his mighty war-machine; With mpveless patience waits ho Till Fate his counsels crown, And, swift as e'er attendant god Flasht forth at the All Father's nod. He snap that lever crown; As at the Word creative Up-sprang the World to Day, So up from wood, and coppice, From field, and bank, and brao Leap endless eager armies Responsive to the call; And, Souls uplifted, hearts aglow, Upon the terror-stricken foo Magnificently fall. O, weary were their waiting But that faith all strength imparts; But that the coming victory Sings over in their hearts; But that they know each moment Brings on the lookt-for day When, freed from silence and the dark, They press to the predestined mark, And hurl them in the fray; But that their Souls prophetic See the hour's illusion through; See shine the Sun of Righteousness Enthroned in the Blue; See how the veiling vapours That, for the moment stain That purity, have but this en<f— Upon Earth's leanness to descend In fertilising rain. O, let our faith, my Brothers, Like theirs be deep and* strong; O. let our hearts, my Brothers, Echo, like theirs, with song; Let the Souls of us look bravely Through the fiery blasts of Hell Into the stirless peace, where still The seer may read God's swerveless Will, And see that all i 3 well; And, seeing, go forth gladly, Upon our brows His light, Never more to add our doubtings To the burden of the fight; But to lift our war-worn soldiers On a mighty, rush ; ng tide Of shakeless faith ; add strength to strength, And joy to joy, till Peace at length Becomes Earth's winsome Bride. Marstas.