VERSES BY H. BELLOC VERSES _By_ HILAIRE BELLOC _With an Introduction_ _By_ JOYCE KILMER [Illustration] NEW YORK LAURENCE J. GOMME 1916 COPYRIGHT, 1916, BY LAURENCE J. GOMME VAIL-BALLOU COMPANY BINGHAMTON AND NEW YORK To JOHN SWINNERTON PHILLIMORE A DEDICATION WITH THIS BOOK OF VERSE _When you and I were little tiny boys We took a most impertinent delight In foolish, painted and misshapen toys That hidden mothers brought to us at night._ _Do you that have the child’s diviner part-- The dear content a love familiar brings-- Take these imperfect toys, till in your heart They too attain the form of perfect things?_ CONTENTS PAGE INTRODUCTION xi TO DIVES 1 STANZAS WRITTEN ON BATTERSEA BRIDGE DURING A SOUTH-WESTERLY GALE 4 THE SOUTH COUNTRY 7 THE FANATIC 10 NOËL 14 THE EARLY MORNING 16 THE BIRDS 17 OUR LORD AND OUR LADY 18 IN A BOAT 20 COURTESY 22 THE NIGHT 24 THE LEADER 25 A BIVOUAC 27 TO THE BALLIOL MEN STILL IN AFRICA 28 VERSES TO A LORD WHO, IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS, SAID THAT THOSE WHO OPPOSED THE SOUTH AFRICAN ADVENTURE CONFUSED SOLDIERS WITH MONEY-GRUBBERS 30 THE REBEL 32 THE PROPHET LOST IN THE HILLS AT EVENING 34 SONG, INVITING THE INFLUENCE OF A YOUNG LADY UPON THE OPENING YEAR 36 THE RING 37 CUCKOO 38 THE MIRROR 39 THE LITTLE SERVING MAID 40 THE END OF THE ROAD 43 AUVERGNAT 45 DRINKING SONG, ON THE EXCELLENCE OF BURGUNDY WINE 46 DRINKING DIRGE 48 WEST SUSSEX DRINKING SONG 50 A BALLAD ON SOCIOLOGICAL ECONOMICS 52 AN ORACLE THAT WARNED THE WRITER WHEN ON PILGRIMAGE 54 HERETICS ALL 55