I saw the wooden crosses that fret the fields of

France.

A thrush sings in an oak-tree, and from the old

square tower

A chime as sweet and mellow salutes the idle hour:

Stone crosses take no notice—but the little

wooden ones

Are thrilling every minute to the music of the guns!

Upstanding at attention they face the cannonade,

In apple-pie alinement like Guardsmen on parade: