Page:Patriotic pieces from the Great War, Jones, 1918.djvu/74

70 SALUTATORY

Our honor 'tis who stay behind—

Soldiers of France's glory—

To hail with strengthening words and kind

The men that march the foe to find,

And rout him from our hallowed soil

That groans with pain of his despoil—

His menace gory.

Our honor 'tis to hold you dear,

War-men of skill and soul;

The old, the young, alike revere—

Men faring forth who smile at fear,

While earth itself returns with dread

The echo of their martial tread

Toward triumph's goal.

Our honor 'tis to nurse you well—

Soldiers of newer glory—

To bind your wounds and soothe your brow,

Who little dreamed to add as now

By faith and nerve the valorous meed

Of high, unselfish, mighty deed

To France's story.

Our honor 'tis to give our tears—

Soldiers that lie at rest!