CANADIAN SINGERS AND THEIR SONGS
To the Grave of an unknown
British Soldier
Knit thyself close, memorial grass,
Green be and strong O sacred Sod
And, lest a careless traveller pass
Unmoved, let every hidden clod
Enriched by this once radiant frame,
Beneath the ripple of a mound,
Pour out such echoes of his name
That they shall reach him—underground:
Unmarked—save on the deathless page—
He heard, he hastened, fought and fell
For a swift perilled heritage
So late perceived, but loved so well
That this mute clay, half man, half boy,
In some divine awakening caught,
Set it against all dreams and joy
And died in rapture at the thought:
Earth hath her dumb and poignant moods,
Her ancient passions of regret,
And with elusive pity broods,
Though man himself too soon forget:
No chill oblivion enters where
Her slumberous eyes for death atone,
Not solitary is he there—
Who rests with her rests not alone
Alan Sullivan
143
