I have known and loved in the London Territorials, who, being dedicate
to their Country and the cause of Liberty, went over the parapet and did
not return.
"These laid the world away; poured out the red
Sweet wine of youth: gave up the years to be
Of work and joy, and that unhoped serene
That men call age; and those who would have been
Their sons they gave--their immortality."
*THE MOTHER'S ANSWER*
God gave my son in trust to me.
Christ died for him. He should be
A man for Christ. He is his own
And God's and man's, not mine alone.
He was not mine to give. He gave
Himself, that he might help to save
All that a Christian should revere
All that enlightened men hold dear.
"To feed the guns." Ah! torpid soul,
Awake, and see life as a whole.
When freedom, honor, justice, right,
Were threatened by the despot's might,
He bravely went for God, to fight
Against base savages, whose pride
The laws of God and man defied;
Who slew the mother and the child;
Who maidens, pure and sweet, defiled;
He did not go to feed the guns,
He went to save from ruthless Huns
His home and country, and to be
A guardian of democracy.
"What if he does not come?" you say;
Well, then, my sky will be more gray,
But through the clouds the sun will shine
And vital memories be mine.
God's test of manhood is, I know
Not, will he come--_but did he go_?