<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="" class="head">Requiem</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line">LET others comfort your distress</p><p class="line">J With soldier tales of simple art,</p><p class="line">Telling his strength, his manliness.</p><p class="line">The noble way he played his part.</p><p class="line">You should be proud;—ah, gallant heart.</p><p class="line">Say not that pride is comfortless.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">But I have rarer words than praise.</p><p class="line">For more than common love was mine.</p><p class="line">And now his dear remembered ways</p><p class="line">Are treasured in the sacred shrine</p><p class="line">Where human mingles with divine,</p><p class="line">A solace for the lonely days.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">He battled for no worldly hire,</p><p class="line">No stern ambition to appease.</p><p class="line">From fight to fight his heart's desire</p><p class="line">Was set on higher things than these—</p><p class="line">His home beside the English seas,</p><p class="line">And children's faces round the fire,</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Red clouds, and the low sun agleam</p><p class="line">In cottage windows dim with age.</p><p class="line">The summer sounds of wood and stream.</p><p class="line">These were his faith, his heritage;</p><p class="line">His life—a happy pilgrimage,</p><p class="line">And death the dawning of a dream.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">And on that day he went to die</p><p class="line">His spirit soared on rainbow wings,</p><p class="line">Gladly he went, with head held high,</p><p class="line">And singing as a lover sings</p><p class="line">To greet the dusky night, that brings</p><p class="line">His hour of happiness more nigh.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Ah, surely when his life was sped</p><p class="line">That spirit hastened to your side.</p><p class="line">Would you but raise your weeping head</p><p class="line">You'd hear him whisper in the tide,</p><p class="line">Or on the winds of heaven ride</p><p class="line">For ever with the mighty dead.</p></div></body></html> · Great War