All night we prowled the stricken No Man's Land,

And the high stars looked down dispassionate.

I wondered if they could but understand

That we poor grovelling things were fighters yet.

Fighters, O God! Begrimed, intent to kill,

But starting at all the secret noises near.

We'd sent our hearts to sleep; but mind and will

Fought the cold duel with children's night-born fear.

The haunted silence quenched the stir of fight,

The tainted wind no word of courage spoke.

We turned at last: sudden the grass dew-white

Smelt as it does at home: my heart awoke.

God sent one bird to sing: the old sun came

And lit the Eastern skies with orange flame.

The old monk down by the sea-beach listening,

Thought that the waves were singing a song,

And the wheeling gulls in the sea-spray glistening

Wheeled with the music that bore them along.

Day after day by the sea-beach dreaming,

The old monk heard what the sea-song told,

And he set the tale in the great book gleaming

With beautiful colours and letters of gold.

But one word only he set to flame there,

And naught of the tale but that golden word,

And sadly said all the men that came there

That none could know what the old monk heard.

The earth beneath this awful snow

No feet have ever trod,

These icy peaks could never know

The smile of any God.

And as I watch I know again

Cruel tales I dare not tell,

Of legions of forsaken men

Who freeze in Dante's hell.