Page:More songs by the fighting men, soldier poets, second series, 1917.djvu/145

Walter Lightowler Wilkinson Brothers, and I—I taste again,

Again I taste the Wine of Spring.

(O Wine of Spring and Bread of Love,

O lips that kiss and mouths that sing:

Love and Spring in England now!) . ..

Peace! Vex me not, but pass above:

Sweet English Love, fleet English Spring—

Pass! Vex me not!

Brothers, my brothers, I pray you—hark!

I hear a song upon the wing,

Upon the silver wing of morn:

It is—dear God! it is the lark—

It is the lark above the corn,

The fledgling corn of England's Spring! . ..

Ah! pity thou my wearied heart:

Cease! Vex me not!

Brothers, I beg you be at rest,

Be quite at rest for England's sake:

The flowerful hours in England now

Sing low your sleep to English ears:

And would ye have your sorrows wake

The Mother's heart to further tears? . ..

Nay! be at peace, her loyal dead

Sleep! Vex her not!

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