Page:Canadian poems of the great war.djvu/119

 Elizabeth Roberts MacDonald

Mrs S. A. R. MacDonald of Ottawa, and the only sister of Major Charles G. D. Roberts (q.v.) Born in the Rectory of Westcock, N.B., February 17th, 1864; and educated at the Collegiate School, Fredericton, and at the University of New Brunswick. Author of Dream Verses and Others Our Little Canadian Cousin, etc. Her husband, Staff-Sergeant S. A. R. MacDonald, is in charge of the Dispensary of the Canadian Special Hospital, at Ramsgate, England. Her eldest son, Cuthbert Goodridge Roberts, is also represented in this volume.

BETWEEN THE WAKING AND THE SLEEPING

SOFT sounds their drowsy charm repeat ; Remembered songs and voices dear, Laughter, and lilt of dancing feet,

And bell-notes clanging clear; But something snaps the spell and then I hear the tread of marching men.

Bright pictures on the dusky wall Of night the dreamland artists trace,

Castle and tower and ivied hall And clear-cut cameo face ;

But something blurs the sight and then

I see the forms of marching men.

Sleep brings no more its old release

From all the cares of day ; Restless we toss, and pray for peace ;

Guns thunder while we pray. When shall the madness pass? Till then Our hearts beat time with marching men.

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��A CHRISTMAS STAR

HRISTMAS chimes across the snow, Can you ring the old refrain When the world is seared with pain,

When the lights of joy burn low?

Lovely chimes across the snow, Ring: May Peace be born again!

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