 | Ballads of the War |  |
96
Retrospect
Britain! forget this lamentable year;
Fold hands, and turn a little while to sleep!
Forget? Nay friends, the wound is far too deep,
Seeing in peasant home and hall of peer
Sorrow with pride sits silent, and our cheer
Makes counterfeit of gladness—while we keep
The feast in weeds of woe, and some eyes weep,
And some hearts break because there is not tear.
Fold hands, and turn a little while to sleep!
Forget? Nay friends, the wound is far too deep,
Seeing in peasant home and hall of peer
Sorrow with pride sits silent, and our cheer
Makes counterfeit of gladness—while we keep
The feast in weeds of woe, and some eyes weep,
And some hearts break because there is not tear.
Rather remember how war's horror and shame
Preached peace upon far mountains—how in might
The greater land's great courage, like a flame,
Rose up, and put all littleness to flight;
And how the grey old mother's children came
To pour their blood for liberty and right.
Preached peace upon far mountains—how in might
The greater land's great courage, like a flame,
Rose up, and put all littleness to flight;
And how the grey old mother's children came
To pour their blood for liberty and right.
| Ballads of the War | |