Friends

FRIENDS
BY WILFRID WILSON GIBSON
LONDON ELKIN MATHEWS, CORK STREET M CM XVI
BY THE SAME WRITER
(Uniform with FRIENDS)
BATTLE (1915). THOROUGHFARES (1914). BORDERLANDS (1914). FIRES (1912). DAILY BREAD (1910). AKRA THE SLAVE (1910). STONEFOLDS (1907).
TO THE MEMORY OF RUPERT BROOKE
He's gone. I do not understand. I only know That as he turned to go And waved his hand In his young eyes a sudden glory shone: And I was dazzled by a sunset glow. And he was gone. 23rd April, 1915.
CONTENTS
RUPERT BROOKE
Your face was lifted to the golden sky Ablaze beyond the black roofs of the square, As flame on flame leapt, flourishing in air Its tumult of red stars exultantly, To the cold constellations dim and high; And as we neared, the roaring ruddy flare Kindled to gold your throat and brow and hair Until you burned, a flame of ecstasy. The golden head goes down into the night Quenched in cold gloom--and yet again you stand Beside me now with lifted face alight, As, flame to flame, and fire to fire you burn... Then, recollecting, laughingly you turn, And look into my eyes and take my hand.
II.