To hack you hence to the lukewarm hells that the priest-made ovens heat, Or the faked-pearl heaven of pulpit gods, where the sheep-faced angels bleat And the halo’s rim is as hard to the head as the gilded floor to the feet.” * * * * * It heard the stumps of Its one-time mate go waddling back to the Feast. And, once and again, It whined for the Meat; ere It slunk, like a tongue-lashed beast, To the tinselled heaven of pulpit gods and the tinselled hell of their priest. Aimée _WIFE AND COUNTRY_ Dear, let me thank you for this: That you made me remember, in fight, England--all mine at your kiss, At the touch of your hands in the night: England--your giving’s delight. _MOTHER AND MATE_ Lightly she slept, that splendid mother mine Who faced death, undismayed, two hopeless years.... (“Think of me sometimes, son, but not with tears Lest my soul grieve,” she writes. Oh, this divine Unselfishness!) ... Her favourite print smiled down-- The stippled Cupid, Bartolozzi-brown-- Upon my sorrow. Fire-gleams, fitful, played Among her playthings--Toby mugs and jade.... And then I dreamed that--suddenly, strangely clear-- A voice I knew not, faltered at my ear: “Courage!” ... Your own dear voice, loved since, and known! And now that she sleeps well, come times _her_ voice Whispers in day-dreams: “Courage, son! Rejoice That, leaving you, I left you not alone.” _MEETING_ I came from the City of Fear, From the scarred brown land of pain, Back into life again ... And I thought, as the leave-boat rolled Under the veering stars-- Wind a-shriek in her spars-- Shivering there, and cold, Of music, of warmth, and of wine-- To be mine For a whole short week ... And I thought, adrowse in the train, Of London, suddenly near; And of how--small doubt--I should find There, as of old, Some woman--foolishly kind: Fingers to hold, A cheek, A mouth to kiss--and forget, Forget in a little while, Forget When I came again To the scarred brown land of pain, To the sodden things and the vile, And the tedious battle-fret. My dear, I cannot forget! Not even here In this City of Fear.