And more movingly and with a deeper sense of conviction it speaks through 'The Gift,' where he offers himself in sacrifice without asking why, for in his heart he knows:
...There is a certain ancient city, where he once was free and young,
(But he leaves it now for you),
Where Oxford tales are spoken, and Oxford ways are sung,
(But he leaves them now for you),
And his heart is often weary for that dear old river shore
And he thinks a little sadly of the days that come no more
(But he gives them up for you).
If his dust is one day lying in an unfamiliar land,
(England, he went for you)
O England, sometimes think of him, of thousands only one,
In the dawning, or the noonday, or the setting of the sun
(As once he thought of you),
For to him, and many like him, there seemed no other way
(England, he asked not why)
But the giving up of all things for ever and for aye,
(England, he asked not why),
And so he goes unshrinking from those dearest paths of home,
For he knows, great-hearted England, let whatever fate may come,
You will never let him die!
