Page:More songs by the fighting men, soldier poets, second series, 1917.djvu/119

Rudolphe Louis Nègroz I have been exiled now for two long years,

Known many dangers, many pleasant places;

I have been near to Death just when he rears

With terrible intent, and gazed upon the faces

Of stricken comrades after his dread leap;

In eastern deserts I have worshipped beauty

Austerely still, where Death and Life to sleep,

And Home is a strange dream, and stranger "Duty";

Yet have your mother-hands reached out always

With some sweet draught for Mem'ry; your pitying

Softened the couch of hardships; darkest days

Your brightest words did light who knew the sting

Of this cruel war most cruelly deep at heart—

Your love to sing then, what an Angel's art!

Stern War has caused my life's frail barque to ride

Some perilous seas of Death, made me warm friends

With cold Privation, and like Dante's guide,

Down doleful, dayless ways where this life ends

And deeds, desires, are woven in hidden looms

That pattern human fate, me has he led

With hand relentless on my hand. 'Mid tombs

My dragging and his careless feet did tread,

Echoing fear about my heart, and then,

With his contempt content, my hand he freed 115