<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">To the British Army</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line"><span class="smallcaps">British</span> soldiers, once again</p><p class="line">Ye are marshalled on the plain</p><p class="line">By our fathers' blood renowned;</p><p class="line">Ye are treading sacred ground!</p><p class="line">Hearken, hearken as ye pass</p><p class="line">To the voices in the grass!</p><p class="line">On the Belgian soil it waves</p><p class="line">O'er the lone, unnumbered graves</p><p class="line">Where immortal warriors lie,</p><p class="line">Devotees of Liberty,</p><p class="line">Nobly fallen in the fray.</p><p class="line">Ramillies and Malplaquet,</p><p class="line">Quatre Bras and Waterloo</p><p class="line">Yield their legions up to you!</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">British soldiers, ye will fight</p><p class="line">'Neath the banner of the Right:</p><p class="line">Ye are holding in your hands</p><p class="line">Liberty of little lands,</p><p class="line">Seeking nothing, giving all,</p><p class="line">Answering to Honour's call,</p><p class="line">Stay Aggression's grim attack!</p><p class="line">Hurl the impious menace back!</p><p class="line">Devotees of Liberty,</p><p class="line">Ride ye now to victory!</p><p class="line">We in England watch and pray: --</p><p class="line">Ramillies and Malplaquet,</p><p class="line">Quatre Bras and Waterloo</p><p class="line">Yield their soul to strengthen you!</p></div><p class="byline">R. GORELL BARNES</p><em>Times, August</em> 22, 1914</body></html> · Great War