Page:Poems of the Great War - Cunliffe.djvu/151

 ��NOX-COMBATAXT

Before one drop of angry blood was shed I was sore hurt and beaten to my knee ;

Before one fighting man reeled back and died The War-Lords struck at me.

They struck me down — an idle, useless mouth, As cumbrous — nay, more cumbrous — than the dead,

With life and heart afire to give and give I take a dole instead.

With life and heart afire to give and give

I take and eat the bread of charity. In all the length of all this eager land,

No man has need of me.

That is my hurt — my burning, beating wound ;

That is the spear-thrust driven through my pride ! With aimless hands, and mouth that must be fed,

I wait and stand aside.

Let me endure it, then, with stiffened lip :

I, even I, have suffered in the strife I Let me endure it then — I give my pride

Where others give a life. _ (^i^^i^ Hamilton.

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