TOLD IN GALLANT DEEDS ❧ A CHILD’S HISTORY OF THE WAR BY MRS. BELLOC LOWNDES London JAMES NISBET & CO., LTD. 22 BERNERS STREET, W. DEDICATED TO THE HAPPY WARRIOR CHARACTER OF THE HAPPY WARRIOR Who is the happy warrior? Who is he That every man in arms should wish to be? It is the generous spirit, who, when brought Among the tasks of real life, hath wrought Upon the plan that pleased his childish thought; Whose high endeavours are an inward light That makes the path before him always bright: Who, with a natural instinct to discern What knowledge can perform, is diligent to learn; Abides by this resolve, and stops not there, But makes his moral being his prime care; Who, doomed to go in company with pain, And fear and bloodshed, miserable train! Turns his necessity to glorious gain; · · · · · Whom neither shape nor danger can dismay, Nor thought of tender happiness betray; Who, not content that former worth stand fast, Looks forward, persevering to the last, From well to better, daily self-surpassed: Who, whether praise of him must walk the earth For ever, and to noble deeds give birth, Or he must go to dust without his fame, And leave a dead unprofitable name, Finds comfort in himself and in his cause; And, while the mortal mist is gathering, draws His breath in confidence of heaven’s applause: This is the happy warrior; this is he Whom every man in arms should wish to be. WORDSWORTH. CONTENTS CHAP. PAGE I. BELGIUM 1 II. THE WHITE ENSIGN 22 III. BRITAIN, TO ARMS! 58 IV. THE BATTLE OF MONS 86 V. THE GREAT RETREAT 109 VI. CAMBRAI, LANDRÉCIES, ST. QUENTIN 120 VII. BATTLES OF MEAUX AND THE MARNE 139 VIII. THE BATTLE OF THE AISNE 154 IX. OUR ALLY RUSSIA 175 X. OUR ALLY FRANCE 193 XI. BELGIUM ONCE MORE 219 XII. THE FAR-FLUNG BATTLE LINE 232 PREFACE