YOUTH'S SACRIFICE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 938, 12 February 1917, Page 6

YOUTH'S SACRIFICE.

•*. . . the doubly dead in that they died so yonnjr." Boy-soldiers! who from clinging, mother arms Passed In the fight. Braving, with bounding puls.es, war's alarms. Foul wrong to right! Our tears How fast for you—the doubly dead. Whose youth expired ere jour life s blood was shed. Though scarce two decades of that life had sped When fell the blight. Fair fare, smooth cheek, and boyhood's clear bright eye, And sunny smile On every Hoi! of Honour ne descry, Grieving the while At thought of all that with you must hav« died— Some mother's heart and hopes; a father's pride: Perchance the girl-life of some half-won bride In sea-girl isle. "Ton young" you're deemed for manhood's rights, but not Too young to die! Swift aged by months of strain 'tis now your lot Silent to lie. No glad return for von, r!c.-r !>i :.rt>- s i still! No wedded love of fat'i. r10.,„i no t!:ri,! Hut mortal then and ;..■■-. 1!...u.;h ...- .::.-, kill You live on High. Yea! might one choose, h--v r w«el ■ to yield Cleansed from tile stain Of youthful follies, on l!ie !■; . :> ::«!!. With short-lived pain. From sting of lone Hi.ess s' • *■ ■' ■ "■ i Souls pass in hun.lt. 's. v..i. plea Of: "Inasmuch . . . \<"v ' ■ .We—" To endless gain. —Jane Leisliman, i:i '.'.