THE CAPTAIN OF DRAGOONS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 18, 20 May 1925, Page 61

THE CAPTAIN OF DRAGOONS.

Lv l • ■ ; • : " \ [The celebrated Pere Varian was, at first, an officer in the army, but received a call j to a perfect life through a victory gained '- over himself on the occasion referred to in f"~ the following verses.] • ; . ' : . _ ■■ .• • • • • • • - •• ■ ' The Captain and his company ■ Rode fro h the camp one day: The sun was bright, their hearts were light, A merry troop were they. The Captain rode before his . men, And strong and tall was he His hand - was sure, his heart was pure, In fight his sword flashed free., ■■' ’ ' ' His watchful eye beheld afar ■1 ■ • A wayside crucifix— It stood alone, a cross of stone: ■ r , His horse with spur he pricks. ' . Full soon he nears the simple shrine, K S ’ And, as ho speeds along, Beside him ride false Shame and Pride p|o,- ‘4 Two evil spirits strong. And thus they whisper in his ear: “Before this cross of stone Canst thou bow low to sadlc-bow, ■ > As oft thou didst alone. j ' % Thy soldiers rude will grin and sneer, .m' Or, wondering, they will stare To see low bow their Captain’s brow, P'[' ; As woman crouch in prayer.” For answer he straight flings him down v Before the cross of stone |pSg|:His soldiers all behold him fall 6 % . r And kneel as if alone. With hands outstretched, like Christ on cross, ; v;; • Ho lifts his voice to pray “I worship Thee, Lord, look on mo, And he my. guide and stay!” n, : v - t . A secret voice speaks to his heart; “My son, come, follow Me. Renounce all things, take thou love’s wings, And saved thou shalt be.” ~ I ' ■ ■ ■ ' ' ; --••.■ ■ ■ . - ■ The Captain hangs liis sword, beside •; The crucifix of stone: ; r.l “I’ll ride no more my men before, f'" I now am God’s alone.” V > r . > t r.V . .r.- : ' W A - Henceforth a victor,.in hard strife .■ . . For Heaven ,’gainst demons dread, tyjp He fighteth well Christ's foes to quell, T. Christ’s-love and truth to spread. -