<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">Morituri Te Salutant</h1><p class="byline">P. H. B. L.<br xmlns:exist="http://exist.sourceforge.net/NS/exist" xmlns:html="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"/><span class="smallcaps">IN The London Spectator</span></p><div class="stanza"><p class="line">IN this last hour, before the bugles blare</p><p class="line">The summons of the dawn, we turn again</p><p class="line">To you, dear country, you whom unaware, </p><p class="line">Through summer years of idle selfishness, </p><p class="line">We still have loved--who loved us none the less,</p><p class="line">Knowing the destined hour would find us men.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">O thrill and laughter of the busy town! </p><p class="line">O flower valleys, trees against the skies,</p><p class="line">Wild moor and woodland, glade and sweeping down, </p><p class="line">O land of our desire! like men asleep</p><p class="line">We have let pass the years, nor felt you creep </p><p class="line">So close into our hearts' dear sanctities.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">So, we are dreamers; but our dreams are cast </p><p class="line">Henceforward in a more heroic mold;</p><p class="line">We have kept faith with our immortal past.</p><p class="line">Knights--we have found the lady of our love; </p><p class="line">Minstrels--have heard great harmonies above</p><p class="line">The lyrics that enraptured us of old.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">The dawn's aglow with luster of the sun </p><p class="line">O love, O burning passion, that has made</p><p class="line">Our day illustrious till its hours are done--</p><p class="line">Fire our dull hearts, that, in our sun's eclipse, </p><p class="line">When Death stoops low to kiss us on the lips, </p><p class="line">He still may find us singing, unafraid.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">One thing we know, that love so greatly spent ;</p><p class="line">Dies not when lovers die: From hand to hand</p><p class="line">We pass the torch and perish--well content, </p><p class="line">If in dark years to come our countrymen</p><p class="line">Feel the divine flame leap in them again, </p><p class="line">And so remember us and understand. </p></div></body></html> · Great War