Page:Soldier poets, songs of the fighting men, 1916.djvu/81

Rh "Life has, of course, good moments such as this

(A glass of sherry we should never spurn),

But where our brethren are, 'tis perfect bliss;

Still, we are glad our lot was,—to return."

Yes, I can see you and can see the dead,

Keen-eyed at last for Truth, with gentle mirth

Intent. And having heard, smiling they said:

"Strange are our little comrades of the earth."

A Midnight Reflection in a Hut

HIRTY "heroes" in a hut,

So the babblers call them, but

Sometimes doubts assail us when

We prefer to call them men.

For the "heroes" quarrel much,

And their language is not such,

Always, as to merit praise,—

Rather censure's frowning gaze;

Sometimes greedy, too, they be;

Sometimes idle, let's agree;

Short of temper—as of breath,

The impartial witness saith;

Sometimes cunning, that's the worst

Sin, the Serpent's, the accurst!

So the critics: they are right

In a fashion. Yet at night, 77