"In wiser days, my darling rosebud, blown To beauty proud as was your mother's prime-- In that desired, delayed, incredible time You'll ask why I abandoned you, my own, And the dear breast that was your baby's throne, To dice with death, and, oh! they'll give you rhyme And reason; one will call the thing sublime, And one decry it in a knowing tone. So here, while the mad guns curse overhead, And tired men sigh, with mud for couch and floor, Know that we fools, now with the foolish dead, Died not for Flag, nor King, nor Emperor, But for a dream, born in a herdsman shed And for the secret Scripture of the poor." These young leaders have won the wooden cross--the symbol of the supreme sacrifice they made that others might live; the symbol, also, of eternal peace for themselves--the wooden cross which marks their graves. From north, south, east and west of Ireland, of differing creeds, of opposing political opinions--these men of the Irish Brigade and the Ulster Division--they lie, as they fought, side by side, comrades in a noble cause. It is sad to think of the many rare intelligences, ardent and glowing spirits, which are quenched for ever in the little cemeteries that have sprung up along the Allied Front. The loss to Ireland is incalculable. But gain might come from it, which, weighed in the balance, would not be found wanting, if only the solemn lesson which it teaches were brought home to all: that one in Irish name, as one in Irish fame, are the northerners and southerners who died in France for the liberation of humanity. Major-General Hickie--as mindful of the memories of those of his men who have fallen as of the well-being of those still in the fighting ranks--erected as a memorial to the dead of the Irish Brigade a statue in white marble of Our Lady of Victories in a town of the district. Another striking proof of his esteem for the men is afforded by the following Order which he issued on December 18, 1916-- "To-day is the anniversary of the landing of the Irish Division in France; The Divisional Commander wishes to express his appreciation of the spirit which has been shown by all ranks during the past year. He feels that the Division has earned the right to adopt the motto which was granted by the King of France to the Irish Brigade, which served in this country for a hundred years: 'Everywhere and always faithful.' With the record of the past, with the memory of our gallant dead, with this motto to live up to, and with our trust in God, we can face the future with confidence." GOD SAVE THE KING. CHAPTER XV MORE IRISH HEROES OF THE VICTORIA CROSS DEEDS OF THE HIGHEST MERIT AND LUSTRE