At dawn they met and found each other’s eyes, Asked the same questions, sought the same replies: Their last and youngest fought where harsh commands Still goaded forward lashed and driven bands, Where Vaux and Thiaumont twin sentinels Loomed stalwartly. And still a howl of shells Shattered the Verdun battlements in vain; Still domineered that keen death-tutored brain Behind an army deaf to angry scorn, The boast forgotten and the mask outworn. At length she spoke: “Go quickly now,” she said, “Quick, the next hurrying hour may see him dead. Find the Great Overlord and tell him all Quick, for our boy may pass beyond recall Meanwhile. He shall know happiness to come, He, the last scion of our stricken home, Shall blossom like a flower in early Spring I say it, I who bore him. Time shall bring The old primeval happiness to birth If there be any justice upon earth.” She ceased; it seemed her voice re-echoed still As strung with hope he hurried on until He reached the palace and besought for grace To see his royal master face to face. That night in sudden joy he urged away Across Lorraine, for in his wallet lay An order blazoned with the royal seals. Hour after hour the car’s revolving wheels Rushed dizzily towards the high command That held his son in fee. Around, the land Awoke in changeless Spring. Four steady hours They travelled, till the bloom of passing flowers Brought tidings of the dawn. Then to his ears Rumbled a distant thunder, sudden fears Urged onward faster. Now the country showed First signs of war-flung tentacles, the road Lay pitted here and there, a wounded tree No longer framed its lordly symmetry. And soon the land whereon all life was stilled Became as Man had willed. At last his journey ended. Long delayed He sought his goal, now pressing on, now stayed, Until outside the place of high command The royal warrant burning in his hand He knocked--was bidden enter--tense and mute He faced the marshal with a grave salute And showed the royal word. The crowded room was silent, no man stirred-- A pause as long as death, then, dragged and slow, A voice--“Your son was killed an hour ago.” A clock importunately unconcerned Repeated tick--tick--tick. His eyes discerned A pen vague-sprawling, madly spiderwise. Not a man glanced--Yet all the room had eyes: Not a man spoke--Yet clamorous voices cried: Stumbling, he walked outside. IN THE MESS I sat alone although the mess Was full, when--quick as tears A song of naked happiness Came singing in my ears. I summoned strength to kill a cry And mad desire to weep; Then, glancing round me guiltily, Found everyone asleep! A TRENCH INCIDENT