THE SILK-HAT SOLDIER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1659, 9 January 1917, Page 4

THE SILK-HAT SOLDIER.

Collectors of choice little volumes of choice little poems should look out for Richard Le Gallienne’s “The Silk-Hat Soldier.” It contains his well-known “War I abhor!” several other war poems that have appeared in the magazines, and a few quite new ones. The book was published for the Belgian Fund in New York. This is the poem that gives the book its title:

1 saw him in a. picture, ami I fell I’d like to cry— He stood in line. The man “for mine,” A tall silk-hatted “guy"— Right on the call, Silk hat . and all, He’d hurreid to the cry—

For he loves England well eno'ugb for England to die.

I’ve seen King Harry’s helmet in the Abbey hanging high — The one he wore At Agincourl; But braver to my eye That city toff Too keen to doff His stove-pipe—bless him —why ? For he loves England well enough for England to die.

And other fellows in that line had come too on the fly, Their joys and toys. Brave English boys, For good and all put by; 0 you brave best, Teach all (he rest How pure the heart and high When one loves England well enough for Eng land to die.

One threw his cricket-bat aside, one left the ink to dry; All peace and piny He’s put away, And bid his love good-bye— O mother mine! 0 sweetheart mine! No man of yours am I If 1 love not England well enough for England to die.

I guess i) strikes a chill somewhere, the bravest won’t deny, All that you love, Away to shove, And set your leetli to die; But better dead, When all is said, Than lapped in peace to lie — If we love not England well enough for England to die,