<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">Comfort</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line"><span class="smallcaps">Now</span> she need dread no more to grow</p><p class="line">Too old for him, she need not know</p><p class="line">The bitterness when he who was</p><p class="line">All hers turns to some younger face,</p><p class="line">And she his mother stands aside,</p><p class="line">Bidding her heart be satisfied.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">She need not to her own heart say,</p><p class="line">"Fool, to be jealous! Now give way.</p><p class="line">The young are for the young, and all</p><p class="line">The new things are but natural.</p><p class="line">Cast no least shadow on his feast;</p><p class="line">Be glad just to be second best."</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">She need not to her chill heart tell</p><p class="line">She's loved a different way, but well.</p><p class="line">And like that bird who leans her heart</p><p class="line">Upon a thorn to ease its smart</p><p class="line">Turn to the child who's taken his love</p><p class="line">So that her darling son approve.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Now she's no longer dispossessed --</p><p class="line">For second best's but second best --</p><p class="line">He's hers for all Eternity</p><p class="line">And she his one felicity.</p><p class="line">Her little son, as when he lay</p><p class="line">Small in her arms one heavenly day.</p></div></body></html> · Great War