THE KHAKI MEN

Horowhenua Chronicle, 26 January 1915, Page 2

THE KHAKI MEN

In the light of the. sun the green hills smiled, And silver peace was the dreaming sea, A.s the old earth rocked her wonderchild, The blossom . month on her kindly knee. Oh, dainty and sweet wore the orchard? white, And the gold o' wattle and hedgerow furze, Not a tree, nor bird, lior a beam of light, But the spring had claimed their beauty hers. When gallop-a, gallop-a, swift there came, The khnki men with hearts of flame. O'er the curve of the hill came on the van, And up the slope a long defile, Saddle to saddle, and man to man., "While the cannon boomed from Ripa Isle. And the proud necks arched of the glossy steeds, And the brown eyes filledi with fire,* Athirst far-off for the Dauntless deeds In the ranks of Britain's ire. And the gallop-a, gallop-a. swift to the aim, Of the khaki men with hearts of flame. Ah, yes, the spring may riot long. And tin , stately ships ride home in peace, While the kowhai bells gild the vales of song, Until the summer's rich increase. But there, out yonder in other lands. They iight for freedom, home and truth, And fight, and lift their bleeding hands To pray for help from the hell-fiend's ruth. And ever they lift their hands .and sigh, "How Jong, how long till we hemr the cry Of the galloping men of British name. The khaki men with hearts of flame?" And here the scent of the violets blue. And the gold o' the daffodils 'mid the green; But there the cannon's bitter rue. And the red o' hell where heaven has been. There homes are shattered and women wronged, And hearts are wrung with anguished prayer, Lest the hour <of carnage bo prolonged Ere .swift the avengers of hosts draw near, And the hosts of wrong draw back with shatno, 'PW tho khaki men with heart* of flame. Oil every one of those khaki men Moving so glitterless over the hill Has a mother whose heart beats anguished when Their marching hoofs the echoes fill. And ever her hand keeps grips of hvv heart, To still its voice lest her will should slack. "God needs my .son should play hi* part. And T, his mother, miiet not hold back." And .she thrills at the "gallop-n" swift to fame, Of the khaki men with hearts of flame. GRACE E. MARSDOX.