POETE,Y.
NEW HEARTS FOR THE OLD WAY.
WE are called. We hear. Be this the single test—.
Give we our best?
Doth there from meadow, street, and school arise A dust of toil, a steam of sacrifice ?
Have we a lodestar to light fainting eyee With solemn hest P An Empire's might, not proved by wail or blood But widening good, A might to lift the weak, to guide the strong, To make day quicken from the night of wrong— Be this with us as love or light or song Or daily food. Not with fond sigh or dream that peace is here Shall we uproar That peace which comes of Soul attuned to stress, Of armoured calm and iron gentleness, Of valiant youth, and wisdom skilled to bless, And woman's cheer.
So peals the question riving our long rest— Give we our best ?
Arm we with zeal and labour that the day Of ultimate battle find us not at play ?
Ay, with new hearts to dare the old, great way We yet shall hold, by gift of each man's best, Our sires' bequest. ARCTITBALD Fox.
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