Private Alfred Roberts, of the Royal Irish Lancers, sends home some lines which a soldier comrade had written. They are remarkable both in sentiment and as possessing real poetic fire.
IF I SHOULD FALL!
If I should fall among the dead and dying,
Amid the strife upon the blood-stained field,
My spirit, Lord, upon Thy love relying,
To Thee I yield.
THEIR ORDEAL OF FIRE THE GRENADIER GUARDS AT THE BATTLE OF BIDDULPH’S BERG 1900
I do not ask a respite from the grave;
When duty calls I’ll hasten to my place,
But when my hour should come, one boon I crave
To see Thy face.
THE GREAT ASSAULT ON LADYSMITH—THE DEVONS CLEARING WAGON HILL.
For Thou hast been my friend and brother,
And thro’ sweet nature all my joys I’ve known:
No earthly bond unites me to another,
I stand alone.
FIX BAYONETS! REPELLING AN ATTACK FROM THE TRENCHES AROUND LADYSMITH.
For I despise the cant and double-dealing
Which serve mankind, the humble and the proud:
How hard to find one heart with genuine feeling,
In all the crowd
A PICKET OF 13th HUSSARS SURPRISED NEAR THE TUGELA RIVER HUSSAR HILL
To Thee, to Thee, O, Father, I surrender.
This earthly gift whene’er I hear Thy call,
But let my death be swift, the pang be tender,
Yet like a soldier fall.
The Cheltenham Chronicle, Saturday March 7th 1900.
Under Every Leaf. 