<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">Ghosts at Boulogne</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line"><span class="smallcaps">One</span> dreamer, when our English soldiers trod</p><p class="line">But yesterday the welcoming fields of France,</p><p class="line">Saw war-gaunt shadows gathering stare askance</p><p class="line">Upon those levies and that alien sod --</p><p class="line">Saw Churchill's smile, and Wellington's curt nod</p><p class="line">Saw Harry with his Crispins, Chandos' lance</p><p class="line">And the Edwards on whose breasts the leopards dance:</p><p class="line">Then heard a gust of ghostly thanks to God</p><p class="line">That the most famous quarrel of all time</p><p class="line">In the most famous friendship ends at last;</p><p class="line">Such flame of friendship as God fans to forge</p><p class="line">A sword to strike the Dragon of the Slime,</p><p class="line">Bidding St. Denis with St. George stand fast</p><p class="line">Against the Worm. St. Denis and St. George!</p></div><p class="byline">JUSTIN HUNTLY McCARTHY</p><em>Daily Chronicle, August</em> 30, 1914</body></html> · Great War