<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">To a Friend -- Killed in Action.</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line">I <span class="smallcaps">fain</span> would weep, and yet my eyes are dry;</p><p class="line">My lips are dumb, for fear lest they should speak</p><p class="line">The hasty word, and in reproaches seek</p><p class="line">Revolt from God's decree that you should die.</p><p class="line">I know you would not ask me for my tears,</p><p class="line">But rather have me face with courage calm</p><p class="line">The lonely hours, and find some healing balm</p><p class="line">To fill the emptiness of future years.</p><p class="line">And so I pray for strength to bind my soul</p><p class="line">With faith unconquerable and hope divine;</p><p class="line">And from the grief and sorrow that are mine</p><p class="line">Draw cleansing grace to make my being whole</p><p class="line">Thus from your loss one friend at least shall gain</p><p class="line">New life, to prove you have not died in vain.</p></div><p class="byline">HAROLD SIMPSON.<br xmlns:exist="http://exist.sourceforge.net/NS/exist" xmlns:html="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"/></p></body></html> · Great War