Page:More songs by the fighting men, soldier poets, second series, 1917.djvu/34

More Songs by the Fighting Men Who caught the smile which glorified your face.

A moment—little heart!—and you were gone;

But where you passed—you knew it not—

I marked and kissed the spot.

I loved you in royal Rome.

Sweet Heart! you were a vestal there

And I came to offer my gift.

A poor slave with a pigeon dearly bought,

Its feathers purer than snow's whitest drift.

With fevered soul I made my silent prayer

Though I could never touch the bliss I sought,

While holy Vesta's temple was your home.

A feather fell—how should you see?—

Till death it stayed with me.

I love you in London town.

Sweet Heart! you are a princess now

And the blue blood runs in your veins;

While I, alas! am but of common birth

Whom war is splashing with its crimson stains.

A soldier who has taken Honour's vow

To share the grandest task on God's wide earth.

One night you wore red roses in your gown.

A petal dropped—you never guessed—

I hid it in my breast.

30