Page:More songs by the fighting men, soldier poets, second series, 1917.djvu/107

Charles John Beech Masefield Given England's swords to keep her honour clean.

Which they shall be which pierce, and which be broken,

We know not, but we know that every hour

We must shine brighter, take an edge more keen.

July, 1915.

In Honorem Fortium

SOMETIMES think that I have lived too long,

Who have heard so many a gay brave singer's song

Fail him for ever—seen so many sails

Lean out resplendent to the evil gales,

Then Death, the wrecker, get his harvest in.

Oh, ill it is, when men lose all, to win;

Grief though it be to die, 'tis grief yet more

To live and count the dear dead comrades o'er.

Peace. After all you died not. We've no fear

But that, long ages hence, you will be near—

A thought by night—on the warm wind a breath,

Making for courage, putting old Death, 103