"I DID NOT RAISE MY BOY TO BE A COWARD."

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2632, 30 November 1915, Page 11

"I DID NOT RAISE MY BOY TO BE A COWARD."

The following verses by John Power, which recently appeared in the "New York Times," are an effective reply to the sentiments expressed in the pacifist poem "I Did Not Raise My Boy to be a Soldier," of which' a good deal has lately been heard in the United States: "I DID NOT EAISE MY BOY TO BE A

SOLDIER," BUT X did Dot raise my boy to be a coward, To bear witli blood unstirred whate'er befalls, To skulk, or shirk, or flinch in • times untoward, To stop his ears when need or honour calls. '

I did not Taiso ray boy to hido in pleasure When duty summons him to suffer pain, To count mero easeful plenty, good—to measure All by paltry xule of private gain.

I would not have him cringe when proud ambition Fares forth full-armed to work its lawless irill, To fee his own upon- 6ome base condition, Or look on'weakness outraged ■■ and be still.

Bettei\ far better, that my son were lying, Fordone and shattered on the stricken field; Better, far better, that my boy were dying, ■ Where freemen, eoro forfoughten, scorn to yield.

I lore him notf Ah, me! Too well I love bim, To have him live at easa, full fed and whole, A recreant to, the righteous- God above him. : ' A traitor to his. birthright and hig soul.