As The 100th Anniversary Of The Beginning of World War I (Remember The War To End All Wars) Starts ... Some Remembrances-Poet’s Corner

Ivor Gurney

To England--A Note

I watched the boys of England where they went

Through mud and water to do appointed things.

See one a stake, and one wire-netting brings,

And one comes slowly under a burden bent

Of ammunition. Though the strength be spent

They "carry on" under the shadowing wings

Of Death the ever-present. And hark, one sings

Although no joy from the grey skies be lent.

Are these the heroes--these? have kept from you

The power of primal savagery so long?

Shall break the devil's legions? These they are

Who do in silence what they might boast to do;

In the height of battle tell the world in song

How they do hate and fear the face of War.

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