The supreme sacrifice and other poems in time of war . Waiting and eager to start ;Pale, and a little weary, But with strange new strength at his heart,Though he spoke to none of a vision Or a knowledge of things apart. 38 If he thought that the drums were Drakes drums He noised it not abroad ;But he knew that the day would be Englands In the hour ordained of the Lord ;And that he, a simple Civilian— He too had carried a sword. 39 THE THIN BROWN LINE ^ m ^HE Thin Brown Line went swinging downthe street. 1 You and your comrades, our bravest andour best ;The voice of honour called, and you went
The supreme sacrifice and other poems in time of war . Waiting and eager to start ;Pale, and a little weary, But with strange new strength at his heart,Though he spoke to none of a vision Or a knowledge of things apart. 38 If he thought that the drums were Drakes drums He noised it not abroad ;But he knew that the day would be Englands In the hour ordained of the Lord ;And that he, a simple Civilian— He too had carried a sword. 39 THE THIN BROWN LINE ^ m ^HE Thin Brown Line went swinging downthe street. 1 You and your comrades, our bravest andour best ;The voice of honour called, and you went the foe tomeetWho had broken honest faith in the West. Your Thin Brown Line it bent, but never broke,God gave you strength in the burning, fiery test ; O Gallant Little Band, who took the tyrants gathered up his spear-heads to your breast ! Your Thin Line now is a rising, mighty tide,Justice and judgment dawn for the oppressed, And to-day, dear Heart of Mine, you stood so nearmy sideThat I think the tidings reach you—where you rest. 40. T To /ace p. 41 ] THE CRUMBLING SHIELD STRIKE and strike hard !—the staggeringmonster yields^—•His courage sinks, his strength is failing fast,All that men died for on a thousand fieldsIs triumphing at last ! 41 BRUSSELS OWHO is this who comesTo the throbbing of the drums,To the laughter and the cheers,And the cries of the prisoned years ? And who is at his sideWith her soft eyes open wide,And a clutching at her heart,For fear the dream depart ? Sweet Queen, it shall not fade, But shall live, a beautiful thing,When to long rest are laid You and your valorous King,And the centuries tell of the days of wrathAnd the Lion who stood in the Traitors path. 42 ARMISTICE BOW down, Old Land, at the altar-steps ofGod;Thank Him for Peace — thank Him forVictory ;But chiefly thank Him that thy feet have trodThe path of honour in the Agony. 43 BUCKINGHAM PALACE November nth, 1918 A THOU SAND storms have gathered on ourcoast—^ Gathered
Size: 1485px × 1682px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., boo, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectworldwar19141918
