Page:Ballads of battle (IA balladsofbattle00leejiala).pdf/113

Thank God! and I see the children play
As I did—was it Yesterday?

I hear your guns growl on through Spain,
And then, I hear them once again
Take up the old terrific tune
Upon that far-off Eighteenth June—
Mine ears have learned the measure well
At Festubert and Neuve Chapelle—
Our friends, forth with us in this fray,
Were foes a Hundred Years to-day !

When you rode through this war-racked land
Didst ever, prithee, kiss a hand
To Jeanne, Yvonne, Marcelle, Marie—
Grand-dames of those wave hands to me?
Were girls as sportive and as gay?—
Didst have the heart to say them Nay?—
Was't easy parting with thy pay
A Hundred Years Ago to-day?

*****