THE GIFT OF LOVE.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 January 1916, Page 9

THE GIFT OF LOVE.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend." Transcendent love! that gives the greatest gift of all. The joy of life, the pride of strength, and the glad hope of youth; As bloom is plucked by vandal hand ere yet the first leaves fall, These valiant souls their all upon the alter laid for Truth; And giving all in Love's great sacrifice, Have earned the right with God to dwell in His own Paradise. They sleep the quiet sleep of those who rest In hope of life anew and the glad "W r ell done, Thou faithful servant!" Now again on mother's breast Their weary heads they lay at setting sun. "Earth unto earth! Dust unto dust!" These faithful souls for us have kept the sacred trust. The path was rough, so rough, the eager feet Pressed up the rugged slope; nor paused to rest; Duty, stern Duty called—the scorned do'feat, While Hope, sweet Hope, stooped and caressed And whispered in each list'ning ear "Fear not, my own, for I am ever near." •

And some are resting now beneath the wave, While others' bones lie bleaching in the sun; And some so early found a shallow grave, Their all so freely given for Duty nobly done. Perchance some thought of home—who knows the soul's Gethsemane Of those who fighting fell for us on scarred Gallipoli? And what of those who mourn ? To them as fragrance sweet Of bloom, which yields its all in loveliness and dies, Is the memory of their honoured head, who never knew defeat, Whose deeds for love as incense sweet upward to heaven arise. Comfort, ye sorrowing ones, and when the hot tears start Know that your loved slnll ever live within an Empire's heart. D. M. SUTHERLAND. Dunedin.