Page:Armistice Day.djvu/79

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APRIL ON THE BATTLEFIELDS
57

Fourth Soul

I owned a vineyard by the wooded Main,
Until the Fatherland, begirt by foes
Lusting her downfall, called me, and I rose
Swift to the call, and died in fair Lorraine.
I gave my life for freedom— This I know:
For those who bade me fight had told me so.


Fifth Soul

I worked in a great shipyard by the Clyde.
There came a sudden word of wars declared,
Of Belgium, peaceful, helpless, unprepared,
Asking our aid: I joined the ranks, and died.
I gave my life for freedom— This I know:
For those who bade me fight had told me so.


APRIL ON THE BATTLEFIELDS

BY LEONORA SPEYER

April now walks the fields again,
Trailing her leaves,
Holding her quickening buds against her heart.
Wrapt in her clouds and mists she walks,
Groping her way among the graves of men.


The green of earth is differently green;
A dreadful knowledge trembles in the grass

And little wide-eyed flowers die too soon.