28
BALLADS OF BATTLE
But such a dawn as might have been
Prelude to an horrific play;
As if some Scientist had foreseen
The diverse drama of the day.
Prelude to an horrific play;
As if some Scientist had foreseen
The diverse drama of the day.
A dawn of streaks and streams of red,
Like swelling gouts of spilten blood;
Blood-red the sun that raised its head
Above the broken, blasted wood:
As Lazarus risen from the dead,
Silent each dust-clad sentry stood.
Like swelling gouts of spilten blood;
Blood-red the sun that raised its head
Above the broken, blasted wood:
As Lazarus risen from the dead,
Silent each dust-clad sentry stood.
And with the dawn there came a gun,
And with the gun there came a cry;
Along the trench it seemed to run
That sound of strong men when they die.
And with the gun there came a cry;
Along the trench it seemed to run
That sound of strong men when they die.
Then one came running in all haste,
With, "Water, water, for Christ's sake!"
I hitched the bottle from my waist
And marvelled how his hand did shake.
With, "Water, water, for Christ's sake!"
I hitched the bottle from my waist
And marvelled how his hand did shake.
