<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">To a Mother</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line"><span class="smallcaps">Robbed</span> mother of the stricken Motherland --</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:4%">Two hearts in one and one among the dead,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:4%">Before your grave with an uncovered head</p><p class="line">I, that am man, disquiet and silent stand</p><p class="line">In reverence. It is your blood they shed;</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:4%">It is your sacred self that they demand,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:4%">For one you bore in joy and hope, and planned</p><p class="line">Would make yourself eternal, now has fled.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">But though you yielded him unto the knife</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:4%">And altar with a royal sacrifice</p><p class="line">Of your most precious self and dearer life --</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:4%">Your master gem and pearl above all price --</p><p class="line">Content you; for the dawn this night restores</p><p class="line">Shall be the dayspring of his soul and yours.</p></div><p class="byline">Eden Phillpotts</p></body></html> · Great War