<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">The Conscript</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line"><span class="smallcaps">Then</span> former stars were faint and signs were fled.</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Dawn flamed and sleepers roused: you saw men's souls</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Crowned of that fire with terrible aureoles.</p><p class="line">You saw -- and hid your head, and hid your head.</p><p class="line">What of <em>you</em>, O Unwilling, shall be said?</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:6%"><em>England, Beloved</em>,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%"><em>Say that Pain crowned even mine with all men's souls</em>.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Joyous as guest unto the rose-heaped board,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Dreamful as lover to his dreams' desire,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Steadfast as martyr to the pitiless fire,</p><p class="line">My sons, yet not to any task abhorred,</p><p class="line">But to love's service, went with one accord.</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:6%"><em>No less, Beloved</em>,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%"><em>My heart perforce shall kindle at thy fire</em>.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Toiled in my vineyard since the early sun,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Toiled through the drouth, the ardent heat of noon,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">These, my true laborers. Say, who earns my boon,</p><p class="line">My honorable wage, my deep Well-done,</p><p class="line">He that shall come at rise or set of sun?</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:6%"><em>Even he, Beloved</em>,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%"><em>Who serves thee there, whether at eve or noon</em>.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">The marriage-feast was spread within my house,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Red flowed the wine, loud rose the eager din.</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Prepared for honored guests, the fare therein</p><p class="line">Now bids another company carouse.</p><p class="line">O heedless, find you welcome in my house?</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:6%"><em>Even I, Beloved</em>,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%"><em>Compelled from hedge and highway to come in</em>.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Renownless Christs of a new Calvary,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">My children died, love's dearest debt to pay.</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Thief, who have filched your peace in vain, to-day</p><p class="line">Beside that ransoming love unforced and free,</p><p class="line">Perish you not on a most shameful tree?</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%"><em>Not so, Beloved</em>,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%"><em>For I shall meet thy Dead in heaven to-day</em>.</p></div><p class="byline">-- Alberta Vickridge.</p></body></html> · Great War