Produced by Al Haines SONGS OF HEROIC DAYS By THOMAS O'HAGAN Author of A Gate of Flowers In Dreamland Songs of the Settlement In the Heart of the Meadow and Others Toronto: WILLIAM BRIGGS 1916 Copyright, Canada, 1916 by Thomas O'Hagan TO THE BRAVE CANADIAN HEARTS THAT BEAT AND BATTLE FOR THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM AND THE SAFETY OF THE EMPIRE. PREFACE Nearly all these Poems have appeared during the past year in the columns of the _Globe_ and the _Mail_ and _Empire_ of Toronto, and the _Free Press_ of Detroit, Michigan. When the Author read from his poems last winter before the Women's Press Club of Toronto one of its members suggested that an engrossed and illuminated copy of the poem, "I Take Off My Hat to Albert," be presented to His Majesty, King Albert of Belgium. This was done through the kind offices and courtesy of Mr. Goor, the Belgian Consul-General at Ottawa. His Majesty's gracious letter of acceptance, which the reader will find on another page, is indeed a Royal Foreword to these poetic blossoms of a piteous though heroic time. THOMAS O'HAGAN January 20th, 1916. Contents Letter From the King of Belgium Translation I Take Off My Hat to Albert The Kaiser's Favorite Poems Louvain The Kaiser's Bhoys Mothers In the Trenches The Christ-Child God's New Year's Gift Trouble in the Louvre "Bobs" of Kandahar Song of the Zeppelin "Sock it to 'Em" Langemarck The Bugle Call His Mission Achilles' Tomb The Chrism of Kings Tipperary Gather the Harvest The Kaiser's "Place in the Sun" LETTER FROM THE KING OF BELGIUM [Illustration: Letter from the King of Belgium] TRANSLATION LA PANNE, August 11th, 1915. OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE KING AND QUEEN (OF BELGIUM). SIR: The very delicate words you have found to express to the King your friendly feelings have greatly touched His Majesty. The Sovereign, Who has much admired the beautiful illumination adorning the verses composed in His honor, commands me to thank you sincerely and to say that He will be glad to keep this valuable souvenir. I have the honor to be Sir Your obedient Servant, J. INGENBLEEK, _Secretary._ To DR. THOMAS O'HAGAN, Ottawa. I TAKE OFF MY HAT TO ALBERT _Albert, King of Belgium, is the hero of the hour; He's the greatest king in Europe, he's a royal arch and tower; He is bigger in the trenches than the Kaiser on his Throne, And the whole world loves him for the sorrows he has known: So I take off my hat to Albert._ _Defiance was his answer to the Teuton at his gate, Then he buckled on his armor and pledged his soul to fate; He stood between his people and the biggest Essen gun, For he feared not shot nor shrapnel as his little army won: So I take off my hat to Albert._