ESSAYS IN VERSE.

Observer, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4, 2 October 1915, Page 22

ESSAYS IN VERSE.

THE CONDITIONS' OF SUCCESS. We're fighting with scoundrels who kill men with gas, Who murder the women, dishonour the lass; Who crucify soldiers and burn ev'ry town That sheltered the aged' or gained some renown As centre of learning o>r cradle of art— Those men without mercy, euch beasts without heart! But are they to conquer us, make us their slaves? No! Not while the seas cam be churned into waves, Not if the women aiwd J weaklings give caire To the oowß. and the crops, with their elbows laid l bare; Not if the strong men place duty 'fore greedj Arm themselves, drill' themselves, fight for the creed —

The creed that makes honour the first rule in life, ' ,

The creed that puts tyrants 'yond power of strife, The creed that to each man his freedom would give, The creed that to Nations says live and let live. August, 1915 8.8.

BELGIUM.

Heartstruck she stands—Our Lady of all Sorows— Circled with ruin, sunk in deep amaze; Facing lie shadow' of hier dark tomorrows, Mourning tihe glory of her yesterdays. Yet is she queen, by every royal token, There where the storm of desolation swirled 1 ; Crowned only with, the thorn.—despoiled and broken— Her kingdom is the heart of all the world. She madle her breast a shield, her sword a splendor, She rose like flame upon the darkened ways; So through the anguish of her proud surrender Breaks the clear vision of undying praise. Mabion Couthouy Smith. "The Nation."