"YOUR LAD, AND MY LAD"

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 71, 17 December 1917, Page 12

"YOUR LAD, AND MY LAD"

j WHEN AMERICA WANTED TO WAR. | (By Randall Parrish, in the Chicago I "Dailv News.") ' Down towards Ihcdeep-bluo water, mnrchj ing to throb of drum, i From city street and country lane the lines of khaki coma; Tho rumbling guns, tho sturdy tread, are full of grim appeal, While rays of western sunshine flash back _ from burnished stool. With eager eyes and ohoeks aflame the serried ranks advanco; And your dear lad, and my dear lad, are on their way to France. A sob clings choking in the throat, as lile on file sweep by, Between those cheering multitudes, to whero tho groat ships lio; The butteries halt, the columns wheel, to clear-toned bugle-call, With shoulders squared and faces front they stand a khaki wall. Tears shine on every watcher's check, love speaks in every glance; For .your dear lad. and my dear lad, are on their way to France. Before them, through a mist of vears, in soldier buff or bluo Bravo comrades from a thousand fields watch now in proud review; The same old Flag, (he same old Faith— l.lio Freedom of the WorldSpells Duty in those (lapping folds above long ranks unfurled. Strong are the hearts which bear along Democracy's advance. As your dear lad, aud my dear lad, go on their way to France. Tho word rings out; a million feel tramp forward on Hie road. Along that: path of sacrifice o'er which l.hotr fathers strode. With eager eyes and cheeks nllame, with cheers on smiling lips. Theso fighting men of '17 move onward to their ships. Nor even love may 'hold them back, or halt (hut stern advance, As your dear lad, and my dear lad, go on their way to Franco.