WAR, 1914-15.

White Ribbon, Volume 21, Issue 241, 19 July 1915, Page 11

WAR, 1914-15.

A soul inliammed with bitter hate; A kingdom made so desolate. A lust of greed and passion loose ) And a great reeking charnel house And a grim shadow broods, called death. A darkened sky, yet often riven With shafts unlike the bolt ot heaven, A goal for sport where children pla\, And age and beauty end then day. A raid with Neptune and a thrust Beneath those billows that we trust. A shattered liner 111 a day, And fiendish gibes and mockery, A scattered sea, remorseless, wild. A long good-bye to parent, c hild. A song of death and agony And rich and poor together lie. O, earth; O, sky, that this should bo, O, man that every day should see Tiie pale horse lurking ever) where. I hat bitterness should turn oui care, Our hope, our love, and everything 1 hat gilds the life to which we c ling To desolation and despair. Is this the lot, i.s this the share for those at home who sit and wait for love and du'y to the state, 1 his roll of honour for the brave At home, on battle-field, o* wave? O parents, brothers, sisters, all, To save our nation fiom a t ill. Deny not those, in manhood’s 1 rime, Who fain would seek that other clime, Wnerc martial music and the roar Of -battle deafens more and more. Though language fails and nearts arc wrung, And slow to utter with the tongue. 1 he sad assent, “Go, comrades, go To vindicate a nation’s woe.” Ye. gud jour >ouis with courage true, 1 lie tied of battles is with you. And as they gather, one bv one, From city streets'and cottage lone, Let gladness beam from every eye To cheer them all as they 1 .oss b\ Ye Spartan mother, weep those tears O’er withered hopes of coming years, Yours is a great, unselfish love, Yh.it lives again—again to prove It was for us you sent your bov Responsive to a nation’s cry. And'when at last the foe is driven, And records of his deeds are given. With the great phalanx twill he he Who fought and won the victory —L. A. Grithn M ori insville, Waikato. May 22, 191 5