  (May 7, 1915) Who that can strike a blow Now will refrain? Who with the right to go Now will remain? Never was blood so spilt Under God's vault, Shame and eternal guilt Now if you halt. Who that has prayed for peace Now will forgive? Who can have any ease Now while they live? Into their land we'll break, Onward we'll thrust, Yea, for our children's sake Beat them to dust. "Wait, in a little time," (Mark how they live)! "Men will forget this crime, Soon will forgive; England will heed our plea: When the war ends We shall shake hands and be Look, on a crimson tide Drifts the great host, Mother and babe collide, Ghost upon ghost: See how they make, those tears, Pillars of spray, Never in all God's years Dying away. Who that can strike a blow Now will refrain? Who with the right to go Now will remain? Ah, to be young again! Ah, to be strong! One, one with England's men Marching along! Rise like a fire and go Fierce to this strife, On, give them blow for blow, Life against life: Theirs to be infamous Dust of the sod, Yours to be glorious Victors of God. Harold Begbie By permission of the Author |
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