<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">His Only Way</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line">I <span class="smallcaps">stood</span> to-day high on the Downs</p><p class="line">And talked long with a shepherd lad;</p><p class="line">I found him pondering by his sheep,</p><p class="line">Motionless, staring-eyed, and sad.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">But, leaning on his Pyecombe crook --</p><p class="line">Long polished by his father's hand --</p><p class="line">He told, with slow-tongued eagerness,</p><p class="line">This love-tale of his Sussex land:</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">"Me and my mate, Dick, loved a girl,</p><p class="line">But he was always down at plough,</p><p class="line">And in and out the village, like,</p><p class="line">And -- well, he 'listed, anyhow;</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">"While I bides up here 'long me sheep;</p><p class="line">And our girl, though she liked us two</p><p class="line">Equal it seemed, she took his ring --</p><p class="line">As, sure, she'd right enough to do.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">"Well, Dick he fought and met his death,</p><p class="line">Somewheres in Flanders, so 'tis said;</p><p class="line">And I can't go to her, I feels,</p><p class="line">Because of Dick there lying dead.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">"They do tell she gets pine and thin,</p><p class="line">And mopes and mourns that bitterly,</p><p class="line">But I can't go and say a word,</p><p class="line">Because he died for her, you see.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">"And day by day I sees it more --</p><p class="line">I've pieced it all out clear and plain --</p><p class="line">As I must go like Dick has gone,</p><p class="line">Afore I looks at her again.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">"Old wall-eyed Bob, there, '11 pine awhile,</p><p class="line">And listen, maybe, for my call;</p><p class="line">And master, he'll be proper mad,</p><p class="line">With lambing coming on, and all.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">"But there 'tis, and there ain't two ways:</p><p class="line">He went, and 'tis the only thing;</p><p class="line">Else I shall grow to hate the hill</p><p class="line">And get ashamed o' shepherding.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">"That there's her window down below,</p><p class="line">Aside the copse, where I could see</p><p class="line">(It seems a score o' years agone)</p><p class="line">Our girl stand waving up to me.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">"Come Sunday, then, I'll 'list for sure</p><p class="line">(The same as you done, Dick, old lad!)</p><p class="line">Then, if I gets back, I can go</p><p class="line">Fair, like, and face her proud and glad."</p></div><p class="byline">-- Habberton Lulham.</p></body></html> · Great War