THE THREE MOTHERS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 109, 17 November 1915, Page 4

THE THREE MOTHERS.

THE FIRST. "Killed in action" this the stoiy the biiet cable message t lb; Died of woundß received in action in the far-olf Dardanelles

Throbs your motherheart in anguish, yet repining tears shall cease, You gave him for the Empire, and that thought shall bring you leace.

You gave him for Australasia, you, who, sted bin on his way, billed with high resolve and purpose for the part he had to play. Sending forth your dearest brave, heedless if your heart should • break, thanking God your boy was willing to face death for duty's sake.

Ah, ye eoul, so strong and glorious, ytu shall smile above jour tears, Fur your heart holds consolation for the future darkening years; Yours a glory an and honour that shall last tor aye indeed, For you heard the call of Englaod in the tour rf England's need. Heard it, and have proudly arswered, "Mother, take him, he is thine, For, when thou demands't servicp, can 1 think of him as mine?" So in Empire's mighty conflict you have played a noble part, Aid have eerved her just as truly as the one so near your heart. THE SEIiUND. Not for you our grateful plaudits, cot tor you our words of praise; But contempt and scorn tremendous that must last for many days You, who when your sons id honour yearned aod ciaved to face the to?, In you selfish, petty spirit cried in anguish "do not go." Ah, ye c aven-hearted mother, holdlag back your eager son, . God iurgive you in your blindness; do you know wbat you have done? You bavc earned bis deep reproaches, fallen from your boniured place; You have robbed him of the birthright of the men of Britain's race.

For to fight and fall for Country is a privilege indeed, And has e'er been deemed an honour by tbe eo i of British breed. And upon the scroll of glory 'mongst the best and bravest, too, Might his name have shone in lustre and in honour—but for you. IBE THIRD. Now we greet another mother, you, the saddeit of the three, And to you we yi Id tbe fullness of our heartfelt sympathy. You would send your son in gladness, and thia bitter truth most know, You would yield him gladly, freely, but—he doesn't want to go. So these mothers in their tbousacds fill our inmost thoughts tc-Jay Whether *in our own dsar South land or in distant lands away, And, ye mothers of Australasia, as ye read these verses through, Ask yourselves this potent questhn, in which class must we place you ? '