Now is your time of trial, now

When into dusk the glamour pales

And the first glow of passion fails

That lit your eyes and flushed your brow

In that great moment when you made your vow.

The Vision fades; you scarce recall

The sudden swelling of the heart,

The swift resolve to have your part

In this the noblest quest of all

By which our word is given to stand or fall.

Your mother's pride, your comrades' praise—

All that romance that seemed so fair

Grows dim, and you are left to bear

The prose of duty's sombre ways

And labour of the long unlovely days.

Yet here's the test to prove you kin

With those to whom we trust our fate,

Sober and steadfast, clean and straight,

In that stern school of discipline

Hardened to war against the foe within.

For only so, in England's sight,

By that ordeal's searching flame

Found worthy of your fathers' fame,

With all your spirit's armour bright

Can you go forth in her dear cause to fight.