<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="" class="head">To a Fallen Comrade</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line">I HEARD the voice of Spring come softly pleading</p><p class="line">Across the fresh and breathing wold to-day:</p><p class="line">The sun, set free from cloudy bonds, was speeding</p><p class="line">To greet the earth with each impassioned ray.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Wide-flung my casement in the cool I listened!</p><p class="line">The birds were busy toying with a song.</p><p class="line">And far afield where dappled grasses glistened</p><p class="line">The meadow brook was murmuring along.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">And then there came a bee with yet the numbing</p><p class="line">Languors of the winter on its wings:</p><p class="line">It turned to gold the quiet with its humming—</p><p class="line">And then resumed its drowsy wanderings.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">I looked upon the fields and trees and hedges</p><p class="line">And saw before mine eyes a world reborn.</p><p class="line">And on beyond the green world's utmost edges, .</p><p class="line"><em>Where Hope retreated bleeding and forlorn!</em></p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Ah! then I knew that Spring would only bring me</p><p class="line">Blue skies and songs and flowers drenched with dew!</p><p class="line">Ah! then I knew that Spring could never bring me</p><p class="line">The friend I had and, having, lost in you!</p></div><p>April, 1917.</p></body></html> · Great War