POETRY.
THE CADE OF THE GUNS. She stands at the gates of the Empire With her hand to her aching brow ; She dreamt a dream for her people, And the dream is shattered —and now She stands at the gates forgotten, With her eyes to the nation’s set. Will my nation kneel to the nation. Do the sons of my House forget? They pass by the gates unheeding i With hearts that have long grown cold, With their faces turned to the cities In the strenuous race for gold. And she watches with eyes grown weary The way of her faithless sons; Hearing far off in the years to be The thunder of foemen’s guns. She watches the storm clouds gather, She knows that the gates grow weak, And fain she would warn her people, But they will not let her speak. In the hall of the House of our rulers The people’s elected stand, And what care they if the gates be stormed And the foemen gain the land ? They sit in the hall of our rulers, And strive —each one |or his ow n; And Britannia raises her shiningshield And faces the world—alone ! “Shame on you! Shame, my people, ’Tis you who must right the wrong. Shall the nation kneel at the foemen’s word Because that the foe is strong ?” But she stands at the gates unaided With her eyes to the grey North Sea, Awaiting the people’s answer, And what shall the answer be ? And the guns are calling, calling, And a nation whispers “War!”— Will ye sleep till the guns bombard your homes And the Empire lives no more ? Up ! Follow the flag to the ends of the earth. Up! Strengthen the falling gates! Time ? Yes, still time for the land to be saved, For Europe watches —and waits. M. W. C. A PRAYER. '* I would be true, for there are those who trust me; I would be pure, for there are those who care ; I would be strong, for there is much to suffer; I would be brave, for there is much to dare. I would be friend of all—the foe the friendless — I would be giving and forget the gift; I would be humble, for I know my weakness ; I would look up —and laugh —and love —and lift.”
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Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 878, 13 August 1910, Page 4
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385POETRY. Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 878, 13 August 1910, Page 4
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