<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">A Connaught Man</h1><h1 align="center" class="head"><em>(For Hugh Maguire)</em></h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line"><span class="smallcaps">Lord</span>, when he shall come home from war,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Give him no pastures green,</p><p class="line">But a wet wind and a soft wind</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">With reek of turf between.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Nor let Thy light shine overmuch</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Lest that his soul should fret</p><p class="line">For the grey mist and silver mist</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">That he will not forget.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Build him no pearl-white palaces</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Nor gardens fair and fine,</p><p class="line">Lest for his bare, far-stretching bogs</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">His home-sick heart should pine.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Not groves, nor any vermeil walks,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Nor flowery pastures pied,</p><p class="line">But the great sweep of sky and land</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">And the hills at eventide.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Lord, when the men come from the war,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Give each man his desire!</p><p class="line">Give him the soft wind and the rain</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">And the reek of the turf fire.</p></div></body></html> · Great War