<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">The Crimson Cross</h1><p class="byline"> ELIZABETH BROWN DU BRIDGE <br xmlns:exist="http://exist.sourceforge.net/NS/exist" xmlns:html="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"/><span class="smallcaps">IN THE DAILY NEWS, SAULT STE. MARIE</span></p><div class="stanza"><p class="line">OUTSIDE the ancient city's gate </p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Upon Golgotha's crest</p><p class="line">Three crosses stretched their empty arms, </p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Etched dark against the west.</p><p class="line">And blood from nail--pierced hands and feet </p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">And tortured thorn-crowned head</p><p class="line">And thrust of hatred's savage spear </p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Had stained one dark cross red.</p><p class="line">Emblem of shame and pain and death </p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">It stood beside the way,</p><p class="line">But sign of love and hope and life </p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">We lift it high today.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Where horror grips the stoutest heart, </p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Where bursting shells shriek high,</p><p class="line">Where human bodies shrapnel scourged</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">By thousands suffering lie;</p><p class="line">Threading the shambles of despair, </p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Mid agony and strife,</p><p class="line">Come fleetest messengers who wear </p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">The crimson cross of life.</p><p class="line">To friend and foe alike they give </p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Their strength and healing skill,</p><p class="line">For those who wear the crimson cross </p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Must "do the Master's will."</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Can we, so safely sheltered here, </p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Refuse to do our part?</p><p class="line">When some who wear the crimson cross </p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Are giving life and heart</p><p class="line">To succor those who bear our flag,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Who die that we may live</p><p class="line">Shall we accept their sacrifice </p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">And then refuse to give? </p><p class="line">Ah, no! Our debt to God and man </p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">We can, we will fulfill, </p><p class="line">For we, who wear the crimson cross,</p><p class="line"> Must "do the Master's will." </p></div></body></html> · Great War