<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">Men of the Blood and Mire</h1><p class="byline"> DANIEL M. HENDERSON <br xmlns:exist="http://exist.sourceforge.net/NS/exist" xmlns:html="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"/><span class="smallcaps">IN Everybody's Magazine</span><br xmlns:exist="http://exist.sourceforge.net/NS/exist" xmlns:html="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"/>Permission to reproduce in this book</p><div class="stanza"><p class="line">WE whom the draft rejected;</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">We who stay by the stuff;</p><p class="line">We who measure our manhood</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">And find that it isn't enough;</p><p class="line">We who are gray and burdened;</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">We whom the trades require--</p><p class="line">Will you permit us to hail you,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Men of the Blood and Mire?</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">We of the thundering forum;</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">We of the pen and press;</p><p class="line">We who are pouring our utmost</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Into our land's success;</p><p class="line">We of the Cross and Triangle,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Lofty in deed and desire--</p><p class="line">God, how we shrivel before you,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Men of the Blood and Mire!</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Aye, we are square with conscience--</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">We are reservists all;</p><p class="line">Aye, when your ranks are gaping,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">We will fight where you fall;</p><p class="line">Yet, while we wait, your altar</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Flames in the gas and fire--</p><p class="line">We are the shade of your glory,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Men of the Blood and Mire!</p></div></body></html> · Great War