<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="" class="head">A Lament fron the Dead</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line">PEACE! Vex us not: we are Dead,</p><p class="line">We are the Dead for England slain.</p><p class="line">(O England and the English Spring,</p><p class="line">The English Spring, the Spring-tide rain:</p><p class="line">Ah, God, dear God, in England now!)</p><p class="line">Peace! Vex us not: we are the Dead;</p><p class="line">The snows of Death are on our brow:</p><p class="line">Peace! Vex us not!</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Brothers, the footfalls of the year</p><p class="line">(The Maiden month's in England now!)</p><p class="line">I feel them pass above my head:</p><p class="line">Alas, they echo on my heart!</p><p class="line">(Ah, God, dear God, but England now!)</p><p class="line">Peace! vex me not, for I am dead;</p><p class="line">The snows of Death are on my brow:</p><p class="line">Peace! Vex me not!</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Brothers, and I—I taste again.</p><p class="line">Again I taste the Wine of Spring.</p><p class="line">(O Wine of Spring and Bread of Love,</p><p class="line">O lips that kiss and mouths that sing:</p><p class="line">O Love and Spring in England now!)</p><p class="line">Peace! Vex me not, but pass above:</p><p class="line">Sweet English Love, fleet English Spring-</p><p class="line">Pass! Vex me not!</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Brothers, my brothers, I pray you—hark!</p><p class="line">I hear a song upon the wing.</p><p class="line">Upon the silver wing of morn:</p><p class="line">It is—dear God! it is the lark—</p><p class="line">It is the lark above the corn.</p><p class="line">The fledgling corn of England's Spring!</p><p class="line">Ah! pity thou my wearied heart:</p><p class="line">Cease! Vex me not!</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Brothers, I beg you be at rest.</p><p class="line">Be quite at rest for England's sake:</p><p class="line">The flowerful hours in England now</p><p class="line">Sing low your sleep to English ears:</p><p class="line">And would ye have your sorrows wake</p><p class="line">The Mother's heart to further tears?</p><p class="line">Nay! be at peace, her loyal dead</p><p class="line">Sleep! Vex her not!</p></div></body></html> · Great War