Page:Poems of the Great War - Cunliffe.djvu/152

 126 THOMAS HARDY

��"MEN WHO MARCH AWAY"

SONG OF THE SOLDIERS

What of the faith and fire within us

Men who march away

Ere the barn-cocks say

Night is growing gray, To hazards whence no tears can win us ; What of the faith and fire within us

Men who march away ?

Is it a purbHnd prank, O think you. Friend with the musing eye Who watch us stepping by. With doubt and dolorous sigh ?

Can much pondering so hoodwink you !

Is it a purbhnd prank, O think you. Friend with the musing eye ?

Nay. We see well what we are doing,

Though some may not see —

Dalliers as they be ! —

England's need are we ; Her distress would set us rueing : Nay. We see well what we are doing,

Though some may not see !

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