WHEN THE CAMP'S ASLEEP.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 532, 23 October 1915, Page 8

WHEN THE CAMP'S ASLEEP.

Above the sleeping camp shine forth The stars that watch it peacefully, So near the dark pines that they seen;. t .., ; ; Like blossoms tangled in a tree. A solemn quiet broods • o'er; the land s / . Unbroken for a little, then .;.... There comes a sound —the, deep slow breath Of half a million sleeping men. And round the camp through shadow go ; \ : . Dim shapes the daylight never saw, Declining fires a moment light The old, heroic men of war J Treads Wellington some private by, And Roberts" o'er another bends, And Marlborough, Gordon, by his side, "Well done!" into the. darkness sends! The grey dawn splits.the lightening east, O'er all things comes a subtle change; Soon shall the great guns of the'foe Find once again their deadly range! And one by one the heroes slip Back to their quiet rest again, But leave, unvanquished, splendid still, Their spirit in the waking men! —Constance Smith, in an English Exchange.