Page:Poems of the Great War - National Relief Fund.djvu/42

 Cloak Thou our undeserving, Make firm the shuddering breath, In silence and unswerving To taste Thy lesser death!

Ah! Mary, pierced with sorrow, Remember, reach and save The soul that comes to-morrow Before the God that gave; Since each was born of woman, For each at utter need— True comrade and true foeman— Madonna, Intercede!

E'en now their vanguard gathers, E'en now we face the fray— As Thou didst help our fathers, Help Thou our host to-day! Fulfilled of signs and wonders, In life, in death made clear— Jehovah of the Thunders, Lord God of Battles, hear!

RUDYARD KIPLING