SONG
Only the wanderer
Knows England’s graces,
Or can anew see clear
Familiar faces.
And who loves joy as he
That dwells in shadows?
Do not forget me quite,
O Severn meadows.
BALLAD OF THE THREE SPECTRES
As I went up by Ovillers
In mud and water cold to the knee,
There went three jeering, fleering spectres,
That walked abreast and talked of me.
The first said, “Here’s a right brave soldier
That walks the dark unfearingly;
Soon he’ll come back on a fine stretcher,
And laughing for a nice Blighty.”
The second, “Read his face, old comrade,
No kind of lucky chance I see;
One day he’ll freeze in mud to the marrow,
Then look his last on Picardie.”
Though bitter the word of these first twain
Curses the third spat venomously;
“He’ll stay untouched till the war’s last dawning
Then live one hour of agony.”
Liars the first two were. Behold me
At sloping arms by one—two—three;
Waiting the time I shall discover
Whether the third spake verity.