<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">The Vision</h1><h1 align="center" class="head"><em>(Katia: Easter Sunday, 1916)</em></h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line"><span class="smallcaps">She</span> had a vision in the dark</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Ere the first lark from nest took flight;</p><p class="line">She saw her own son from fierce strife</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Win to new Life and new Delight.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">The clouds were tattered round his head</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">As sore bested he fought his foe,</p><p class="line">Where in the conflict he was ta'en</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">And slain -- she did not see it so.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">She saw indeed his bitter case</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">In that sad place, parched, without shade,</p><p class="line">And how her Christian Knight must fall</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">In Paynim thrall, should Heaven not aid.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">But now what light burns in the cloud?</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">What voices loud against his ear?</p><p class="line">St. Andrew and St. Patrick ride</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Close by his side; St. George is near.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">His banner floats upon the breeze,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Like a gold fleece it wraps him round --</p><p class="line">So, cap-à-pie from head to knee,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">His enemy he strikes to ground.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">He's won the day, he's won the day!</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">See the light play upon his brow!</p><p class="line">Brave in his armour and upright</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">The Christian Knight is riding now.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">She had that vision of her son</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">When by the moon asleep she lay --</p><p class="line">And woke to singing birds and dew,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">And knew that it was Easter Day.</p></div></body></html> · Great War