 | Ballads of the War |  |
55
To Lord Roberts
ON HIS DEPARTURE FROM ENGLAND AS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF IN SOUTH AFRICA
December 23, 1899
When by Tugela's bank the Terrible Ones
Thundered in vain their storm upon the wall,
And sudden, caught by hail of rifle ball,
Our men and horse went down beside the guns;
Then learned we well how true the red blood runs
From sire to child, for many brave did fall,
But none more swift to hear his country's call
Than that heroic soul that is your son's.
Thundered in vain their storm upon the wall,
And sudden, caught by hail of rifle ball,
Our men and horse went down beside the guns;
Then learned we well how true the red blood runs
From sire to child, for many brave did fall,
But none more swift to hear his country's call
Than that heroic soul that is your son's.
Go forth grey-headed warrior whom we love—
Known by familiar name the army thro',
Go forth—the son who in these five short years
Had faced the Pathan, met the Mahdi's spears,
Lies in calm earth your hand must fight above,
That holy grave claims guardianship of you.
Known by familiar name the army thro',
Go forth—the son who in these five short years
Had faced the Pathan, met the Mahdi's spears,
Lies in calm earth your hand must fight above,
That holy grave claims guardianship of you.
| Ballads of the War | |