Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive.) THE KING'S PILGRIMAGE PROFITS FROM THE SALE OF THIS BOOK WILL, BY HIS MAJESTY'S DESIRE, BE DISTRIBUTED AMONG THE PHILANTHROPIC ORGANIZATIONS WHICH FOR SOME TIME HAVE BEEN ASSISTING RELATIVES TO VISIT THE CEMETERIES ABROAD "THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE" [Illustration: TERLINCTHUN "_Standing beneath this cross of sacrifice and facing the great stone of remembrance_"] The King's Pilgrimage London: Hodder and Stoughton, Limited 1922 _The Imperial War Graves Commission has to acknowledge the permission of the following for the publication of the photographs which are contained in this book: Central News Agency, Graphic Photo Union, "Daily Mail," Press Photographic Agency, "The Times," Topical Press Agency, Lt.-Col. H. Ellissen, Mr. F. C. See, Mr. A. H. W. Brown_ PRINTED IN PHOTOGRAVURE BY THE SUN ENGRAVING CO., LTD. LONDON AND WATFORD BUCKINGHAM PALACE May 1922. I am interested to hear of the proposed publication of the record of my pilgrimage to the War Graves. It grieves me to think how many relatives are prevented from visiting the graves of their dear ones through lack of means. During my recent visit to the Cemeteries in France and Belgium, I was glad to learn that various organisations are endeavouring to meet this difficulty by raising funds which I trust will be substantially assisted by the sale of the book. George R. I. The King's Pilgrimage Our King went forth on pilgrimage His prayer and vows to pay To them that saved our Heritage And cast their own away. And there was little show of pride, Or prows of belted steel, For the clean-swept oceans every side Lay free to every keel. And the first land he found, it was shoal and banky ground Where the broader seas begin, And a pale tide grieving at the broken harbour mouth Where they worked the Death Ships in: And there was neither gull on the wing, Nor wave that could not tell Of the bodies that were buckled in the lifebuoy's ring That slid from swell to swell. (_All that they had they gave--they gave; and they shall not return, For these are those that have no grave where any heart may mourn._) And the next land he found, it was low and hollow ground Where once the cities stood, But the man-high thistle had been master of it all, Or the bulrush by the flood; And there was neither blade of grass Or lone star in the sky, But shook to see some spirit pass And took its agony.