Page:A treasury of war poetry, British and American poems of the world war, 1914-1919.djvu/99

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GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA
99

I had dined on food that had lost its taste;
My soul was cold and I wished you were here,
When, all in a moment, I knew you were near.


Placing that chair where you used to sit,
I looked at my book:—Three years to-day
Since you laughed in that seat and I heard you say


"My country is with you, whatever befall:
America—Britain—these two are akin
In courage and honour; they underpin


"The rights of Mankind!" Then you grasped my hand
With a brotherly grip, and you made me feel
Something that Time would surely reveal.


You were comely and tall; you had corded arms,
And sympathy's grace with your strength was blent;
You were generous, clever, and confident.


There was that in your hopes which uncountable lives
Have perished to make; your heart was fulfilled
With the breath of God that can never be stilled.


A living symbol of power, you talked
Of the work to do in the world to make
Life beautiful: yes, and my heartstrings ache


To think how you, at the stroke of War,
Chose that your steadfast soul should fly
With the eagles of France as their proud ally.


You were America's self, dear lad—
The first swift son of your bright, free land
To heed the call of the Inner Command—


To image its spirit in such rare deeds
As braced the valour of France, who knows
That the heart of Amerca thrills with her woes.