Page:Canadian poems of the great war.djvu/40

Horace Bray Mother and daughters now may journey forth
 * Comrades in arms, along that better way

That comes with Peace, and things of nobler worth,
 * And brings the dawning of a brighter day.

Perchance in days gone by, we thought you cold—
 * You may have thought us childish still, and weak—

But now we know; we know your heart of Gold;
 * We know the things you felt and could not speak.

And you, mayhap, have learned a little too,
 * Of eager youth, impetuous to aid,

Impatient of delay, and quick to do,
 * Too young, too ignorant, to be afraid.

O little Mother of the Island Race!
 * O Mother-Mistress of the distant seas!

We heard your call, and proudly take our place
 * Now by your side, no longer at your knees!

VER the edge of hills the sunset burned;
 * The silent ageless mountains stood around;

And where the flashing mountain streamlet turned,
 * A watch of armèd men held vantage ground.

Outpost of England's might—a little band
 * War hardened, grim and fierce in fight;

Outpost to hold in awe a hostile land,
 * Guarding a border from a nation's might.

Up the long slope there swept a dusky host
 * That broke across the patch of meadow land;

A weary sentry called—the little post
 * Started from sleep: rang out a sharp command.

Then on them broke the flash and thunder stroke—
 * A thousand sabres in a thousand hands—

The little islet trembled—never broke,
 * At all the shock of all a thousand brands.

The rifles snapped and chattered in the dark;
 * Yard long sprang flames with every bullet sped;