AUSTRALIANS AT ANZAC.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 55, 10 February 1916, Page 7

AUSTRALIANS AT ANZAC.

We reprint from the Spectator of December 11 the following letter, set of verses, and editorial footnote: —

Sir, —The enclosed verses I received from my sister in Australia. They are from a poem which appeared in tin Australian newspaper which she does not, give the name of. They are addressed "To the Women they have Left," and I thought they might comfort and encourage those,of your readers who have lost dear ones also in the Dardanelles. M. PARKINSON, Waterfoot, Whaley Bridge, Cheshire. "Why do you grieve for us who lie At our lordly ease by the Dardanelles ? We have no need for tears or sighs, We, who passed in the heat of light Into the soft Elysian light; Proud of our part in the great emprise. We are content. We had our day. Brief but splendid—crowned with power And brimming with action; every hour Shone with a glory none gainsay. How can we grieve? We are not alone; There are other graves by the Dardanelles. Men whom immortal Homer sang Come to our ghostly camp-fires' glow, Greet Us as brothers and tell us 'Lo, So to our deeds old Troy rang.' Thus will the ages' yond our ken Turn to our story, and having read, Will say with proudly uncovered head And reverent breath, 'Ok Cod, they were Men.' " (Indeed, they were Men, as are their brothers still, Heaven be praised, militant below. Never in all history did soldiers show higher courage, steadfastness, and the power to suffer all things and endure all things, than these thrice-gallant soldiers from Australia and New Zealand. Patriotism and courage brought forth here the reddest rose in all the world.—Ed. Spectator.)