ALMA.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 14, 18 June 1920, Page 1

ALMA.

(From Poems written during the Russian War, 20th September, 1854.) Though till now ungraced in story, scant although thy waters, be, Alma, roll those waters proudly, proudly roll them to the sea. Yesterday, unnamed, unhonoured, but to wandering Tartar known, Now thou art a voice for ever, to the world's four corners blown. In two nation's annals graven, thou art now a deathless name, And a star for ever shining in their firmament of fame. Many a great and ancient river, crowned with city, tower, and shrine, -»Litle streamlet, knows no magic, boasts no potency like thine; Cannot shed the light thou shedde'st around many a living head, Cannot lend the light thou lendest to the memories of the dead. Y,ea, nor all unsoothed their sorrow, who can, proudly mourning, say — When the first strong burst of anguish shall have wept itself away. "He has passed from us, the loved one, but he sleeps with them that died By the Alma, at the winning of that terrible hill-side." Yes, in the days far onward, when we all are cairn as those, Who beneath ,thy vines and willows on their hero-beds repose, Thou on England's banners blazoned with the famous fields of old, Shalt, where other fields are winning, wave above the brave and bold. And our sons unborn shall nerve them for some great deed to he done, By that twentieth of September, when the Alma's heights were won. 0 thou river! dear for ever to the gallant, to the free, Alma, roll thy waters proudly, proudly roll them to the sea. — Richard Chevenix Trench, ""Poems."