Ballade of the Slain.

New Zealand Illustrated Magazine, Volume 1, Issue 6, 1 March 1900, Page 51

Ballade of the Slain.

In hope they died, their faces all Fronting the trenches of the foe, Onward they swept at Duty's call, Nor faltered till by death laid low ; And as they felt their life-blood How, They knew it was not spent in vain, For Britain's banner yet would blow Above the bodies of the Slain. At home the fearful news would fall A crushing thunderbolt of woe, And sorrow, like a ghastly pall. Would cover hearts but now aglow With pride of him they honoured so, And pride still triumphed o'er their pain, For must not victors ever go Above the bodies of the Slain ?

And, spite of shell and whistling ball, On, on, tlioir comrades press, and I ho' They see o'er yonder threatening wall J he serried rifles, row on row, They halt not ; in their ciu'n doth grow A voice up-calling from the plain,— " Brave hearts, now, now, your courage show, Above the bodies of the Slain." Envoi/. 0 England, great defeat wo luiow Thy glorious flag can never Htain, Where'er it flutters to and fro Above the bodies of thy Slain. Malcomkon Boi/i/r.