THIRTEENTH MORSEL

A peasant who wishes for more changes his plough for arms The army has loyal farmers with absent fathers away far

Children of empire?s troops though honoured their father?s name they hardly know the man well though his name they proudly bear

Years abroad have rendered fathers estranged from families and friends yet love and regard still remain after gaps of years and distance

A peasant who wishes for more changes his plough for arms fertile fields left idle while we take grain from conquered lands

For children whom fathers left when they were too young to recall esteem comes to their hearts prior before the warmth of filial love

At long last parted faces meet again strange and familiar strange yet familiar they rekindle ties and retell tidings memories and previous habits return

Fertile fields left idle while we take grain from conquered lands the army has its own farmers with absent fathers battling far

Families once again reunited when warriors in togas turn civilians their children venture and nestle gladly