THE OATH.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 564, 30 November 1915, Page 6

THE OATH.

[Translated from the French of Henri d« Reznier, of the Academie >Francaiae, by Walter Adolpße Roberts.] I swear to cherish in my heart this h'ato Till my last heart-throh wanes; So may the sacred venom with my blood Mingle and charge my veins! May there pass never from my darkened brow The furrows hate has worn! May they plough deeper in iny flesh, to mark . : •' The outrage I have borne! By towns in llaincs, by my fair fields laid waste, • ■•" ----- : By hostages undone, By cries of murdered women and. of babes* By each dead warrior son, ; '■ * I swear to conquer or. to fall,, that Right And Justice rule again— I, France, whose voice austere shall. thrill the hearts Of all my valiant slain 1 I take -nvy oath of hatred and. of ?wrath Before -God, and-before • - ' -,.:;; The-holy waters of the Marnc and Aisne, . Still ruddy.with French' gore; t And fix''my eyes upoii immortal' Burning from have to porch, " . I,est I forget, lest I forget who lit The sacrilegious torch!