This be our part, for so we serve you best, So best confirm their prowess and their pride, Your warrior sons, to whom in this high test Our fortunes we confide. OWEN SEAMAN HYMN BEFORE ACTION The earth is full of anger, The seas are dark with wrath, The Nations in their harness Go up against our path: Ere yet we loose the legions-- Ere yet we draw the blade, Jehovah of the Thunders, Lord God of Battles, aid! High lust and froward bearing, Proud heart, rebellious brow-- Deaf ear and soul uncaring, We seek Thy mercy now! The sinner that forswore Thee, The fool that passed Thee by, Our times are known before Thee-- Lord, grant us strength to die! From panic, pride, and terror, Revenge that knows no rein, Light haste and lawless error, Protect us yet again, Cloak Thou our undeserving, Make firm the shuddering breath, In silence and unswerving To taste Thy lesser death! Ah! Mary, pierced with sorrow, Remember, reach and save The soul that comes to-morrow Before the God that gave; Since each was born of woman, For each at utter need-- True comrade and true foeman-- Madonna, intercede! E'en now their vanguard gathers, E'en now we face the fray-- As Thou didst help our fathers, Help Thou our host to-day! Fulfilled of signs and wonders, In life, in death made clear-- Jehovah of the Thunders, Lord God of Battles, hear! RUDYARD KIPLING "YATTENDON HYMNAL NO. 54" Tune: Tallis's "Canon," original setting. Rejoice, O land, in God thy might. His will obey, Him serve aright. For thee the saints uplift their voice. Fear not, O land, in God rejoice. Glad shalt thou be, with blessing crown'd. With joy and peace thou shalt abound. Yea, love with thee shall make his home, Until thou see God's kingdom come. He shall forgive thy sins untold. Remember thou His love of old. Walk in His way, His word adore, And keep His truth for evermore. ROBERT BRIDGES, _Poet Laureate_ PRINTED BY BILLING AND SONS, LTD. GUILDFORD A SUGGESTION Those who cannot fight for their country can help in quieter ways. One way is to collect money for the Prince of Wales' National Relief Fund. Every purchaser of this book is, in a real sense, a subscriber to the Fund, but his duty does not end there. Let him make it his business to see that at least twelve of his friends buy the book too. That would be really _doing something_!