<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="" class="head">Death in France</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line">IF I should die while I am yet in France</p><p class="line">Before the battle clouds have rolled away,</p><p class="line">Give me to feel that death will but enhance</p><p class="line">Life's secret vision on its passing day.</p><p class="line">Grant then to me new, individual power</p><p class="line">In reverie, whilst whimsically I trace</p><p class="line">Thro' eager, breathless youth, each pulsing hour.</p><p class="line">The light and shadow on its fading face.</p><p class="line">And in death's soonest minute let me seek</p><p class="line">Life heightened by new splendour, poise, surprise.</p><p class="line">New colour flushing deep its paling cheek,</p><p class="line">New wonder looking from its tired eyes.</p><p class="line">Time's brought a rare patine to old Romance—</p><p class="line">Death has an ancient dignity in France.</p></div><p>FRANCE, November, 1916.</p></body></html> · Great War