"THE CHIEF OF THE WAR'S BEQUESTS TO POETRY."

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 764, 22 July 1916, Page 8

"THE CHIEF OF THE WAR'S BEQUESTS TO POETRY."

j Captain Julian Grenfell's verses. to which. Mr Buchan, in the above article, pays high tribute as “the chief of the war's Iw-qucsts to poetry,” are givv.s below:— i The naked earth is warm with’Spring. And with green grass and bursting trees ; Leans to the sun's gaze glorying; | And quivers in the sunny breeze; ! And Life is Odour and Warmth and Light, 1 And a striving evermore for these; And he is dead who will not fight. | And who dies fighting has increase. The fighting man shall from the sun ' Take warmth, and life from the glow ing earth j Speed with the light-foot winds to run, j And with the trees to newer birth; And find, when fighting shall be done, | Great rest, and fullness after dearth. The blackbird sings to him. "Brother, brother. If this be the last song you shall sing. Sing well, for you may not sing another; i Brother, sing.” lln drearv doubtful waiting hours. Before the brazen frenzy starts. The horses show him nobler powers; j O patient eyes, courageous hearts! And when the burning moment breaks. And all things else are out of mind. And only Joy--of-Battle takes | Him by the throat and makes him blind. Through joy and blindness he shall know. Not earing much to know, that still Nor lead nor steel shall reach him, so That it lie not the Destined Will. The thundering line of battle stands. And in tin- air Death moans and sings; Hut Day shall clasp him with strong hands. And Night shall fold him in soft wings.