Page:Canadian poems of the great war.djvu/178

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A

��William Pike Osborne

Late Editor of the Quebec Chronicle. Born in Longford Rectory Preston, Lancashire, England, August 29th, 1880. Accidentally drowned, October 13th, 1917- Eldest son of Rev. James Osborne and Marion Pike. Educated at Stamford Grammar School, and Cambridge University. Married Ada Mary, daughter of William Willerton, who with two daughters survive him. Served in the South African War, in the Wiltshire Yeomanry. Became Editor of the Quebec Chronicle in January, 1909.

VALCARTIER

GAIN the white tents glisten against the glorious dawn, Again the bugles echo across the woodland lawn; The startled foals cease romping, the wild life hides in

fear But my heart is sad and lonesome for the Men of

Yesteryear.

They gathered in their thousands, a goodly, valiant host, From the shoreland of Cape Breton, from the far-flung

western coast: From the highways and the byways, busy mart and lonely

mere, Came that band of brave crusaders, came the Men of

Yesteryear.

They awoke this sleepy hollow where the searching feet of change

Had found their way but seldom. As they gathered to the range,

They sang of Tipperary, and with hearts that knew no fear

They yearned for coming battles, did the Men of Yester year.

They disturbed the solemn mountains with the thunder

of their guns; We heard the tramp of marching feet on every road that

runs Along this beauteous valley. By the river winding clear

�� �