<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="" class="head">Dulce et Decorum est Pro Patriâ<br xmlns:exist="http://exist.sourceforge.net/NS/exist" xmlns:html="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"/>Mori</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line">IF England calls to-day—</p><p class="line">The last long call of all,</p><p class="line">Valhalla's Trumpet-call:</p><p class="line">Then may I live until</p><p class="line">The Goal shines past the Hill</p><p class="line">And in the last grand rally</p><p class="line">Hear echoed God's Reveille</p><p class="line">In the Home Camp.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">If England calls this day—</p><p class="line">If in the great, grim fight</p><p class="line">I fall—with eyes all bright</p><p class="line">With sacrificial flame</p><p class="line">Whispering Her great name:</p><p class="line">Let these weak verses show</p><p class="line">To all the friends I know—</p><p class="line">I gladly died.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">If England calls this day—</p><p class="line">Remembered not hardship</p><p class="line">Glad-borne in War's dread grip—</p><p class="line">Not the strain of training.</p><p class="line">Or a year's campaigning,</p><p class="line">But the joy of greeting</p><p class="line">Pleasures, tho' but fleeting.</p><p class="line">Entwined therewith.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">If England calls this day—</p><p class="line">May those who gave their love,</p><p class="line">Who lifted me above</p><p class="line">The petty things of Earth,</p><p class="line">And taught me all the worth</p><p class="line">Of splendid aim in Life,</p><p class="line">Know I, 'mid all this strife.</p><p class="line">Remember them.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">If England calls this day—</p><p class="line">The last sweet Twilight calm.</p><p class="line">When guns withheld their harm</p><p class="line">Awhile, and let me dream</p><p class="line">Of Things That might Have Been-</p><p class="line">Leaf-music in the trees.</p><p class="line">And treasured reveries,</p><p class="line">Shall die with me.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">If England cglls this day—</p><p class="line">No craven heart would go</p><p class="line">From out a world loved so.</p><p class="line">As I love this. Each day</p><p class="line">More loved is Nature's sway</p><p class="line">Of Earth, its every joy</p><p class="line">Of Pain or Joy—yet I,</p><p class="line">So gladly die.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">If England calls this day—</p><p class="line">With yet one aim unwon.</p><p class="line">Of all aims just the one</p><p class="line">Far dearer than the rest—</p><p class="line">To woo and win the best</p><p class="line">Thing that the World can give-</p><p class="line">The Gift of Love—To Live</p><p class="line">I would not wish.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">If England calls this day—</p><p class="line">Then shall I die that She</p><p class="line">May live in Liberty—</p><p class="line">That She may still be great</p><p class="line">To rise above blind Hate</p><p class="line">Of Foes—Her Flag unfurled,</p><p class="line">God's England to the world,</p><p class="line">For aye to be.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">If England calls this day—</p><p class="line">The rose-clad days of June,</p><p class="line">That fled by all too soon,</p><p class="line">Shall be with me again</p><p class="line">In Memory—and when</p><p class="line">The daylight sudden closes.</p><p class="line">The perfume of June Roses</p><p class="line">Shall waft me hence.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">If England calls this day—</p><p class="line">From those far Hills of Home,</p><p class="line">Beyond the sky's dim dome—</p><p class="line">Shall merge Valkyries fair.</p><p class="line">Swift riding thro' the air—</p><p class="line">Who know I shall be there.</p><p class="line">Treading the rose-strewn stair</p><p class="line">To that New Land.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">If England calls this day—</p><p class="line">In the Valkyrie's touch</p><p class="line">Shall be forgotten much:</p><p class="line">Her flying, perfumed hair</p><p class="line">Shall speak of Roses rare—</p><p class="line">And climbing thro' the breeze,</p><p class="line">Remembered melodies</p><p class="line">Shall call me Home</p></div></body></html> · Great War