<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">Retreat</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line"><span class="smallcaps">Broken</span>, bewildered by the long retreat</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Across the stifling leagues of southern plain,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Across the scorching leagues of trampled grain,</p><p class="line">Half-stunned, half-blinded, by the trudge of feet</p><p class="line">And dusty smother of the August heat,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">He dreamt of flowers in an English lane,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Of hedgerow flowers glistening after rain --</p><p class="line">All-heal and willow-herb and meadow-sweet.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">All-heal and willow-herb and meadow-sweet --</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">The innocent names kept up a cool refrain --</p><p class="line">All-heal and willow-herb and meadow-sweet,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Chiming and tinkling in his aching brain,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Until he babbled like a child again --</p><p class="line">"All-heal and willow-herb and meadow-sweet."</p></div><p class="byline">Wilfrid Wilson Gibson</p></body></html> · Great War