<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="" class="head">To a Grave of the Glosters</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line">A WOODEN cross above your head.</p><p class="line">You lie, your course already sped;</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">And in this alien plain must rest</p><p class="line">The bones and body Cotswold bred.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Not long since, insolent with life</p><p class="line">You made the beech-topped barrow rife</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">With your tumultuous vivid youth,</p><p class="line">With other lads, in sport and strife.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">And though you shook the earth o'er those</p><p class="line">Old warriors, close couched there in rows.</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Your careless clamour had no power</p><p class="line">To trouble their sublime repose:</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Who, if they felt at all the tread</p><p class="line">Of such as you pass overhead.</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Wise with the wisdom of long years</p><p class="line">Were patient, knowing that their bed</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Was spacious, patient too, withal;</p><p class="line">That centuries after you were thrall</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">To undistinguished dust, they still</p><p class="line">Would hold their place, each in his stall.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">But now, ere many months are told</p><p class="line">Over your head, encased in mould.</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Children may play, with little care</p><p class="line">Of one beneath them, silent, cold.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Take my salute: ere twenty years</p><p class="line">You knew, you reckon as your peers</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">The men of axe and spear of stone.</p><p class="line">As far removed as they from fears</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">And doubts that vex men such as me.</p><p class="line">From all demands from henceforth free</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">On weary limbs and spirit tired.</p><p class="line">You hold eternity in fee.</p></div></body></html> · Great War