<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="" class="head">The German and the Gael</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line">WHEN they go out to battle</p><p class="line">They march with pomp and show,</p><p class="line">And all the fruits of victory</p><p class="line">Before them as they go.</p><p class="line">Because they dream the fight is theirs,</p><p class="line">Therefore they will not flee,</p><p class="line">But we go darkly out to meet</p><p class="line">The fate we cannot see.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Their officers and generals</p><p class="line">Have nourished them with lies,</p><p class="line">And waved the torch of victory</p><p class="line">Before their blinded eyes.</p><p class="line">But we go grimly forward,</p><p class="line">Believing--come what may,</p><p class="line">We shall not tread the grass again</p><p class="line">Nor see another day.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Not for the hope of glory,</p><p class="line">Nor for desire of loot,</p><p class="line">Not for the pride of conquest,</p><p class="line">Nor dream of wild pursuit;</p><p class="line">But because ancient battles</p><p class="line">Stir in our memory,</p><p class="line">Hopeless as went our fathers</p><p class="line">And stern as they, go we.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Maybe that we shall drive them,</p><p class="line">Maybe we fight in vain,</p><p class="line">We care not now our fathers</p><p class="line">Are born in us again.</p><p class="line">When the old voices called us</p><p class="line">We heard them and obeyed,</p><p class="line">Whether we die or conquer</p><p class="line">We have not been afraid.</p></div></body></html> · Great War