FATALITY.

Observer, Volume XXXVII, Issue 44, 7 July 1917, Page 23

FATALITY.

Thrice have the Seasons passed me by, Eash leaving pledges rudely shattered, Since clouds obscured the peaceful sky And, bursting, bade me wonder why All things were doomed that really mattered. Three times the Spring has beard my prayer For constant, valiant endurance, That nought might move me to declare Me faithless to the flags I wear (When flag-days come) with such assurance. No care has lined my haughty brow, No tears have dimmed my eyes —till now! I have been proud to bear my part In bidding loud and stern' defiance With courage high and honest heart, To all the wrongs that well and 6ta,rt From Crime and Kultur in . alliance. "No more," each night and morn I say "Will I regard the foeman kindly; No longer shall he find the way Grow easier from day to day To trick the friend who trusted blindly. The future years shall never find His arm again with mine entwined ! "No toy polluted by his + iuoh No trifle that hc> may have treasured. No rare thing that he knows as such. And loves, it may be, overmuch With love by market value measured Shall bring the foolish feeling back That in my innocence I cherished, That love but languished in the lack Of skill that fitted me to track His wecret kindness ere it perished." This was my constant prayer: that he Might be, henceforth, unknown to me! * * * But all my steadfast resolution To be to his existence blind Is baffled by my constitution: I've got the measles.—German kind! P. B.