<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">The Surprise</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line">THEY thought they had left him lying well-</p><p class="line">nigh dead,</p><p class="line">So many javelins had been cast at him.</p><p class="line">So many dinting blows</p><p class="line">Upon his casque and cataphract had rung,</p><p class="line">So many stones had with shrill whirr been</p><p class="line">slung.</p><p class="line">But whole of heart and limb,</p><p class="line">At day droop he uplifted his prone head,</p><p class="line">Propped him upon an elbow—suddenly rose—</p><p class="line">Woke his lulled sword and the vain scabbard</p><p class="line">shed,</p><p class="line">Struck out at all his foes,</p><p class="line">And got him victory ere the day was sped.</p></div></body></html> · Great War