<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">The Challenge of the Guns</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line"><span class="smallcaps">By</span> day, by night, along the lines their dull boom rings,</p><p class="line">And that reverberating roar its challenge flings.</p><p class="line">Not only unto thee across the narrow sea,</p><p class="line">But from the loneliest vale in the last land's heart</p><p class="line">The sad-eyed watching mother sees her sons depart.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">And freighted full the tumbling waters of ocean are</p><p class="line">With aid for England from England's sons afar.</p><p class="line">The glass is dim; we see not wisely, far, nor well,</p><p class="line">But bred of English bone, and reared on Freedom's wine,</p><p class="line">All that we have and are we lay on England's shrine.</p></div><p class="byline">A. N. Field</p></body></html> · Great War