Patriotic pieces from the Great War/File Three

FILE THREE

File Three stood motionless and pale,
Of nameless pedigree;
One of a hundred on detail—
But would I had been he!

In years a youth, but worn and old,
With face of ivory;
Upon his sleeve two strands of gold—
Oh, would I had been he!

The General passed down the line,
And walked right rapidly,
But saw those threads and knew the sign—
Oh, where was I, File Three!

"Twice wounded? Tell me where you were."
The man of stars asked he.
"Givenchy and Lavenze, sir"—
Oh, where was I, File Three!

Then crisply quoth the General:
"You are a man, File Three."
And Tommy's heart held carnival—
God! Would I had been he!