<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">Chaplain to the Forces</h1><p class="inline-note" xmlns:html="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"> ["I have once more to remark upon the devotion to duty, courage, and contempt of danger which has characterized the work of the Chaplains of the Army throughout this campaign." -- <em>Sir John French, in the Nueve Chapelle dispatch</em>.] </p><div class="stanza"><p class="line"><span class="smallcaps">Ambassador</span> of Christ you go</p><p class="line">Up to the very gates of Hell,</p><p class="line">Through fog of powder, storm of shell,</p><p class="line">To speak your Master's message: "Lo,</p><p class="line">The Prince of Peace is with you still,</p><p class="line">His peace be with you, His good-will."</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">It is not small, your priesthood's price,</p><p class="line">To be a man and yet stand by,</p><p class="line">To hold your life while others die,</p><p class="line">To bless, not share the sacrifice,</p><p class="line">To watch the strife and take no part --</p><p class="line">You with the fire at your heart.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">But yours, for our great Captain Christ,</p><p class="line">To know the sweat of agony,</p><p class="line">The darkness of Gethsemane,</p><p class="line">In anguish for these souls unpriced.</p><p class="line">Vicegerent of God's pity you,</p><p class="line">A sword must pierce your own soul through.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">In the pale gleam of new-born day,</p><p class="line">Apart in some tree-shadowed place,</p><p class="line">Your altar but a packing-case,</p><p class="line">Rude as the shed where Mary lay,</p><p class="line">Your sanctuary the rain-drenched sod,</p><p class="line">You bring the kneeling soldier God.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">As sentinel you guard the gate</p><p class="line">'Twixt life and death, and unto death</p><p class="line">Speed the brave soul whose failing breath</p><p class="line">Shudders not at the grip of Fate,</p><p class="line">But answers, gallant to the end,</p><p class="line">"Christ is the Word -- and I his friend."</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Then God go with you, priest of God,</p><p class="line">For all is well and shall be well.</p><p class="line">What though you tread the roads of Hell,</p><p class="line">Your Captain these same ways has trod.</p><p class="line">Above the anguish and the loss</p><p class="line">Still floats the ensign of His Cross.</p></div><p class="byline">Winifred M. Letts</p></body></html> · Great War