Sihk Leader's Message to Indian Soldiers

Levin Daily Chronicle, 6 March 1917, Page 3

Sihk Leader's Message to Indian Soldiers

Sirdar Dal,jet Singh. 0.5.1., member of the Council of "India, has arranged to present to every Indian soldier on field service a New Year card with, as frontispiece, the Union Jack in coiours, and on an inner page a reproduction of the portrait of the King- ' Emperor in his Coronation robes, and n facsimile of his Majesty's signature. The Sirdar, who was received by the King on December 6th, iand left London last week for a short visit to India, has composed a poem, which faces the royal portrait, and is printed in Hindi, Persian (Urdu), or Gurnrakhi, and according to the language of the recipient. The verses following are an English translation: — From east to west, from north to south, thy banner is unfurled; It streams above the Seven Seas, it waves throughout the world! The sun may travel far by day and journey through the nigjlit; Speed as he will, thine Empire's bounds be y<?t beyond his sight. Discord is silent at thy word, and safe beneath thy rule The lamb and lion slake their thirst beside the self-same pool. Each home is nursed in Virtue's lap, and Folly's voice is still; \ Even in dreams there cometh not a single thought of ill! Fire, water, wind obey thy will and thy commandments own; Triumph and joy dwell calm beneath the shadow of thy throne 1 Imperial Master, noble George, \Our sovereign Lord and King, Thee, our defence in time of need, thy loving people sing. While tower the mountains of the north, while ismilight g|ikls the

plain, "While gleams the silver moon by night, or heaves the rolling main, World-wide, unmoved, impregnable, may thy dominion stand, And for the buttress of thy Right be God's protecting hand.