Easter Day, 1917—The Eve of the Battle

Item

Easter Day, 1917—The Eve of the Battle

I ROSE and watched the eternal giant of fire
Renew his struggle with the grey monk Dawn,
Slowly supreme, though broadening streaks of blood
Besmirch the threadbare cloak, and pour his flood.
Of life and strength on our yet sleeping choir.
As I went out to church on Easter morn.

Returning with the song of birds and men
Acclaiming victory of throbbing life,
I saw the fairies of the morning shower
Giving to drink each waking blade and flower,
I saw the new world take Communion then—
And now 'tis night and we return to strife.

Huts, France, April, 1917.

Title: Easter Day, 1917—The Eve of the Battle
Identifier: greatwar_moresongs2029

Item sets: More Songs By the Fighting Men

Media: <html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="" class="head">Easter Day, 1917—The Eve of the Battle</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line">I ROSE and watched the eternal giant of fire</p><p class="line">Renew his struggle with the grey monk Dawn,</p><p class="line">Slowly supreme, though broadening streaks of blood</p><p class="line">Besmirch the threadbare cloak, and pour his flood.</p><p class="line">Of life and strength on our yet sleeping choir.</p><p class="line">As I went out to church on Easter morn.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Returning with the song of birds and men</p><p class="line">Acclaiming victory of throbbing life,</p><p class="line">I saw the fairies of the morning shower</p><p class="line">Giving to drink each waking blade and flower,</p><p class="line">I saw the new world take Communion then—</p><p class="line">And now 'tis night and we return to strife.</p></div><p>Huts, France, April, 1917.</p></body></html>