Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/1168

 JULIAN GRENFELL

All the bright company of Heaven Hold him in their high comradeship,

The Dog-Star, and the Sisters Seven, Orion's Belt and sworded hip.

The woodland trees that stand together, They stand to him each one a friend;

They gently speak in the windy weather, They guide to valley and ridge's end.

The kestrel hovering by day,

And the little owls that call by night,

Bid him be swift and keen as they, As keen of ear, as swift of sight.

The blackbird sings to him, 'Brother, brother, If this be the last song you shall sing,

Sing well, for you may not sing another; Brother, sing.'

In dreary, doubtful, waiting hours,

Before the brazen frenzy starts, The horses show him nobler powers;

O patient eyes, courageous hearts!

And when the burning moment breaks, And all things else are out of mind,

And only joy of battle takes

Him by the throat, and makes him blind,

Through joy and blindness he shall know,

Not caring much to know, that still Nor lead nor steel shall reach him, so

That it be not the Destin'd Will.

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