<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">Alienation</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line"><span class="smallcaps">For</span> the first time since he was born</p><p class="line">Her son, her rose without a thorn,</p><p class="line">They are at variance, they who were</p><p class="line">Always such closest friends and dear.</p><p class="line">Another face is in his dreams</p><p class="line">Under the sunbeams and moonbeams.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">In his changed glances she discovers</p><p class="line">Something, some chill between two lovers --</p><p class="line">Something of fear, and oh, it hurts!</p><p class="line">But shall not Love have its deserts</p><p class="line">And win forgiveness, though she still</p><p class="line">Sets her poor will against his will?</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">For all day long the battle calls,</p><p class="line">And in the quiet evenfalls,</p><p class="line">And in the night which else is dumb,</p><p class="line">He hears the bugle and the drum.</p><p class="line">And the wild longing in him stirs</p><p class="line">For the fierce battle. He's not hers,</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">But she her hidden way will keep,</p><p class="line">Striving against him even in sleep,</p><p class="line">Praying against him loud and low,</p><p class="line">"Pity me, so he may not go!"</p><p class="line">Calling on Heaven that it conspire</p><p class="line">Against him and his heart's desire.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">God pity mothers when their sons</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">Grow cold, that were their little ones!</p></div></body></html> · Great War