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BOER WAR LYRICS 
 
 BT 
 
 LOUIS SELMER 
 
 THE 
 
 Mhhey Press 
 
 PUBLISHERS 
 
 114 
 
 rirXH AVENUE 
 
 Condon NEW YORK montreal 
 
THE LIBRARY OF 
 
 CONGRESS, 
 Two Copies Received 
 
 T 
 
 5 3.r37 
 
 MAR 23 1903 
 
 Copyright Entry 
 
 .E 
 
 •3 
 
 ?34 
 
 CLASS ^ XKc. No. 
 
 
 
 19^3 
 
 S ^ 1 r 4- 
 
 COPY B. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Copyright, t()03, 
 
 
 
 
 by 
 
 
 
 
 THE 
 
 
 
 
 Hbbey prcse 
 
 
 
r 
 
 ;?. CONTENTS. 
 
 -? 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Prelude vii 
 
 On the Trail of the Lion 3 
 
 The Gibbet-Song 28 
 
 The Scar 48 
 
 To England : A Forecast 56 
 
 War 60 
 
 Clio 66 
 
 Ave Pax 68 
 
 Alpha 70 
 
 Omega -^ yi 
 
 Greatness 72 
 
 Peter Cronje 82 
 
 Christian De Wet 84 
 
 Oom Paul 85 
 
 Cecil Rhodes 87 
 
 Chamberlain 89 
 
 Salisbury 90 
 
 Peace Pending 92 
 
 Peace 96 
 
 After 99 
 
 Christian De Wet loi. 
 
 Sine Die 103 
 
 A Concordance , 104 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 Most of the verses in this little voliime 
 were conceived and written, if not quite 
 finished, at the time of Cronje's surrender at 
 Paardeberg. 
 
 A certain doubt, however, as to any message 
 of theirs, though modestly set off by a belief in 
 their polemic and literary value, has, I think 
 now, unduly delayed their advent into the 
 crowded world of print ; and, though the pres- 
 ent juncture of a heralded, but, by no means, 
 perfected peace, be perhaps not a very oppor- 
 tune moment for their publication, I have yet 
 thought well to give them forth; the more, 
 since what so be the outcome of the negotia- 
 tions pending, and whichsoever be the motive 
 of the stronger party thereto — whether a bit- 
 ter, though slowly realized necessity, or, a trick 
 of pure heart, or, say, tardy insight and charity, 
 both — be this as it may — the long, though 
 fruitless attempt on England's part to compel 
 
vi Preface. 
 
 a surrender by the South African republics of 
 their poHtical existence, illustrating and up- 
 holding, as no modern exhibition of this kind 
 has done, how rampant is still in Man, and col- 
 lective Man especially, a tacit faith in the big- 
 ger fist, or, euphemistically speaking, the pred- 
 atory law of nature — this, I repeat it, can never, 
 it seems to me, be sufficiently reprehended ; and 
 a hearty condemnation of it may, therefore, 
 fitly form the theme of conscientious, if neces- 
 sarily, censorious verse: with which conten- 
 tion the following pieces are frankly submitted, 
 even at this late day of a stupendous struggle 
 of moral Right — whatsoever its intellectual 
 grounds and equipment — against an aggressive 
 and overweening Might, whose partial defence 
 allowed, rests, after all, and as already main- 
 tained, its wider base on purely material force, 
 on that callous and objective expediency, which 
 History, in her account of human odds, ever- 
 more reveals, and, far too often, glaringly con- 
 dones. 
 
 New York^ May, 1902. 
 
 Since the above was set down. Peace has at 
 last gone forth, and of a pace with the better 
 
Preface. vii 
 
 drift and traditions of England; but even so, 
 there seems no valid ground why these Lyrics 
 should not be heard, as an exponent in brief — 
 inadequate, if you like, yet human no less — of a, 
 for a long time, not to be forgotten broil, if, in- 
 deed, the sad imp of Contention has had his 
 last say about it. 
 November, 1902. 
 
PRELUDE. 
 
 Out of rare heart-deeps flowing, 
 Primer than thought-spring founts, 
 
 Upward, 'gainst vaster knowing, 
 Lightsome the Song-word mounts. 
 
 And athrob with some faith etern, 
 From Being's deep-violed strings, 
 
 Draweth, to heaves that burn. 
 The advent and sooth of things. 
 
 Invokes unto Song, where the still Hopes go. 
 The Spirit's immutable law. 
 
BOER WAR LYRICS. 
 
 ON THE TRAIL OF THE LION. 
 (History in Verse.) 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Somewhere to the Moonward, or Sunward, so 
 
 to speak; 
 A span or two to Eastward, then Southward 
 
 by a streak, 
 Was heard to blare of tomtom a shameless epic 
 
 wail. 
 At fancy of some Lion who had whisked his 
 
 blooming tail 
 Plumb thro' a nest of hornets, nor never 
 
 dreamt the hive 
 Had such a trick to mind him how were that 
 
 tail alive. 
 
 8' 
 
4 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 And it seems the skies were blathering while 
 
 every wind-god swore 
 The Pities would have curdled to hear the 
 
 Beastie roar. 
 All offered salve and comfort, said never done 
 
 was Wrong, 
 But some requiting Themis should venge it to 
 
 her song; 
 Should smite the pesting dwarfies and heal the 
 
 giant's bruise. 
 See paw and toothie peak not for lack of worthy 
 
 use. 
 And, O, the strain fell whopping to thunder — 
 
 drip of sooth, 
 A lamb-like lyric slopping its pace with bleary 
 
 ruth; 
 Nay, in sober last, an epic, outworking thro' 
 
 the fact, 
 Through blaze of hostile numbers, its own and 
 
 bitter act. 
 And it shook us to the Westward — a touch of 
 
 kin and near — 
 We banged our shoppy hatches : we had a right 
 
 to hear. 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 And this — yes, this, was the song of the Sor- 
 rowful True, 
 Which Father Wicked, the Old, for his child, 
 
 the New, 
 He, and that cherub of rowdy fist. 
 Who'll blithely shake it where erst he kissed — 
 That covered Holy, the unctuous Wrong — 
 With his blushing bouncer, St. Meek, the 
 
 Strong ; 
 Set jointly down (while in crafty doubt 
 A wilful Muse turned it inside out. 
 Bared hide and heart of the stalking lore. 
 Its bluff and cant to their dismal core — ) 
 Set down, I say, to mock-halcyon cheers, 
 As, with knife at throat of the suckling years. 
 They bled the weans, lest with peaceful bear. 
 Or, for other virtues in hiding there. 
 The gods, who winnow all mortal stock. 
 Should nurse the goats while they weed the 
 
 flock- 
 Let for lack of pasture the true herd pine : 
 And all for what? For a humping quibble on 
 Mine and Thine! 
 
6 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 Nay, lest Rue, the babbler, with saucy dare, 
 Should sit in judgment twixt Foul and Fair; 
 Should slaver worse, if she came of age, 
 With inglorious snivel wise Clio's page: 
 Lest all of this, with what sousing tact 
 They niced her the diverse of whim and fact; 
 How glowed their zeal as they raked the Rue, 
 Broke font and tablet and put her through 
 Such drench of penance and convert-course, 
 Such Christian baptism from Truth, the 
 
 Source : 
 Sure text nor ritual made never doubt, 
 Nor seasoned clerks, as with wary snout. 
 Each subtle wealsman stood sly at bay : 
 For leet or laurel — let wise Time say. 
 
 Well — ^this was the Song of the Sorrowful 
 
 True: 
 A rip of a Muse — but it gives her view. 
 Curt and clear tho', did the touches fall, 
 Such pithy halves as outspeak the Whole : 
 Are you with me still? Can you check a flout? 
 Then stretch a will to hear it out? 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 7 
 
 VIDELICET : 
 
 (Hour before Dawn — The Muse brooding.) 
 
 O, what hangs so leaden on the brow of Night, 
 As if grim Darkness 'pon herself had bred, 
 To make a second and a direr gloom ? 
 What wrestles so the advent of the Light, 
 Whence from yon paths the white stars tread 
 Should visioned peer its orient bloom ? 
 
 What thrills, withal, do baffled heave. 
 Then urge anew against the serried Dark, 
 At such beseech, their silent suit ? 
 What muttered rolls half-halting cleave 
 These omened airs that still hang stark, 
 As big with what they dare not bruit? 
 
 (Faint Dawn.) 
 
 But yet it lifts, thro' huddling blurs. 
 
 The eager Light. Lo, Day saddles the white 
 Dawn, 
 
 At heel his troop, close-wheeling, spurs. 
 Unto his banner world-wide thrown, 
 
8 Boer War Lyrics, 
 
 Each waft, his way. Close Night unhcx)ds; 
 
 No more beneath her grim gaze shrinks, 
 But featured fair, in tribute ruds 
 
 Each nether thing, and lifesome drinks. 
 
 (Full Dawn.) 
 
 But, O, scene-painting Light, what stage is 
 yon? 
 Dim-figured tho', what grim play breeds ? 
 Troy's second act? Where Hector stout, some 
 Thetis' son. 
 The deadly phalanx girds and leads ? 
 
 What fatal Beauty bears in hand 
 
 With strumpet's lure this sore divide? 
 
 For lo, her brow, to venal brand, 
 
 Reads fierce with lust of worldly pride! 
 
 Why wears true Grace so blanched a cheek? 
 
 What things o' Night do rouse for prey, 
 Confound with grim and loathsome reek 
 
 The balmy breath of youngling Day? 
 
 What lists be those? What dirges wail? 
 
 Why drags white Peace yon gory pall? 
 I see great Mars in flame-knit mail, 
 
 I hear the fierce god's buglers call. 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 9 
 
 And gleamy steel from scabbard flies, 
 War's every hound is red at mouth, 
 
 No belching throat but havoc cries, 
 Would drench in blood the Summer's 
 drought. 
 
 Out, Sense! some trick is here of phrenzied 
 Night; 
 
 These clamors wind no human breath. 
 But ghostly haunt yon winsome light 
 
 The phantom shades of legioned Death. 
 
 And yet yon orb is surely Day's : 
 
 The Land re-speaks him, and his glass, the 
 sea; 
 All tongues at one, no witness stays. 
 
 But owns his line observantly. 
 
 Nay, flung wide is now the portaled East ; 
 
 Behind, before, Light's lofty welcome burns. 
 Whose cheer wide-spread for Most and Least, 
 
 Repledged, alone, his host-call earns. 
 
 But O, what mates come here to feed ! 
 
 They spill the sweet and lifesome wine; 
 They fool the sense with sightless ^reed. 
 
 The knife their law twixt yours and mine. 
 
10 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 And these, for sure, are Afric's strands. 
 And those have rid the hurly sea, 
 
 Whence towering fair great Albion stands. 
 His brow writ broad with Liberty; 
 
 With her, whose cheer is general joy — 
 The gracious board whose never mess 
 
 Lets these to pine, so those may cloy 
 And glut his maw, the Hog, Excess — 
 
 But these no more are kindred shores : 
 Here may her buckler rusting hang, 
 
 Where, still at beat, thro' throbbing yores, 
 Oppression's slave-blows dying rang. 
 
 Here, all thro' fear and nothing love. 
 As if each patient light stood mute. 
 
 May ripping talons deal the Dove 
 This branding scan— a prostitute! 
 
 Thy pardon, god of lofty song, 
 
 Whose fires feed the Piaerian Spring, 
 
 If Truth for right to scoff at Wrong, 
 In thy fair flame a gall-nut fling ! 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 11 
 
 Yes, yon, for su"e, are Afric's strands, 
 But where is the banneret of the Free? 
 
 What fouHng touch of harpy hands 
 Has smirched his shield and panoply? 
 
 What spouse is this, my valiant Son? 
 
 What gross embrace for Freedom's kiss: 
 These arei the sheets of Abbadon, 
 
 The bastard clasp high Furies hiss! 
 
 O, John, was not thy bed as goodly broad 
 As Phoebus spans twixt East and West ? 
 
 His, not the haunts thy fortune trode. 
 Right burly tho', an honored guest ? 
 
 But thou must grudge the meaner cot — 
 The plainer house thy Brother built — 
 
 This text deem, foolish, out of shot : 
 
 "That Have, for greed, shall sure be spilt?" 
 
 ^Vould have 'gainst Worse this wisdom bear: 
 "Who dons the Might, but leaves her crown, 
 Shall stand her dupe; nay, all his wear 
 Shall never hide the thievish clown." 
 
12 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 O, John, I knew thy stomach hale and round, 
 With mortal sense for needful prog; 
 
 But this ? — here any scab had led the hound. 
 Had smelt foul fare the noseless hog ! 
 
 Oh yes; thy friends did this — those nothing- 
 loaths : 
 
 Their bosom's rank with self-sick stuff — 
 The Devil's shufflers when he goads 
 
 And packs with Nice the Ne'er Enough — 
 
 The Devil, Self, and all his Swill, 
 
 Who knows how deep sits sordid lust ; 
 
 How near all power lies to will, 
 Our wills to the damned Unjust. 
 
 Ah, yes — thy friends — each wily Dick, 
 Or under-helmsman to that crew 
 
 Who at no faith-breach blush to stick, 
 So but their grist come safely through ; 
 
 Who, with the rough youth. Glory, ape apace, 
 Quite out of mind his Elder's lease. 
 
 And for a brief from fame-fee'd days. 
 Would wash his hands in bleeding peace. 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 13 
 
 And he — no neuter he — he whoops so hard, 
 The brazen, roystering, gingo-sheet, 
 
 Who serves his vomit tricked with nard, 
 Thro' flattering brag, the bloodfiend's heat 
 
 Who weeps to think the Lion dupe 
 To tearing wolves in shepherd's cowls, 
 
 Then to his sore heart lays this stupe — 
 That there were ir lings to the howls — 
 
 And all for Empire : scape-goat- thing ! 
 
 Look down, proud pile, at thine own feet ! 
 Do not, thro' knell, the ages sing 
 
 How tainted base, the top-strong seat 
 
 Shall, tumbling, empty all their sham. 
 And blaze this line on Story's page — 
 
 That Fill thro' Foul may never dam, 
 Or check the course her Vengers wage. 
 
 How Rule unbuilt each day anew, 
 With tempered glow each brutish fire,' 
 
 Shall lack of pith to fame the True, 
 Unlaureled stand before the Sire. 
 
14 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 Nay, to unbred ages hand the bill 
 For bounden due and bitter scan ; 
 
 The compt and trust he shrank to fill. 
 To bate the sum of answering Man. 
 
 O, John, thy file of friends runs fast and queer! 
 
 Be sick awhile with honest doubt ! 
 Best heart still doffs to wholesome Fear : 
 
 Revise thy list — leave spongers out! 
 
 Oh yes, I know what thou would'st say : 
 "Thou bits't a stiff and rough-back mare, 
 
 Unblest, unbroke to right obey, 
 
 Lest as she catch the trumpet's flare.'* 
 
 But there again thy false friends spoke — 
 Each fisty Brave that wearies Time, 
 
 Who 'Id headlong rush the brazen yoke, 
 Than share a pace, so all may climb. 
 
 More apt to speed with reckless spur 
 
 Thy nicer o'er thy nobler star 
 Than bring to eye what tho' it blur. 
 
 Yet, warning, sheens the misty Far. 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 15 
 
 Oh, yes, I know, as world-walks shift, 
 There is sore push for forward seats : 
 
 We quake at taunts from ride-hard Thrift, 
 Then late her pace with churlish heats — 
 
 And wear this mask before our hearts, 
 This paltry shift of truckling breed. 
 
 That veering Trade or waning marts — 
 All drift that swerves with human need — 
 
 May tide with looks the franker Light, 
 With crafty lead, its artless youth. 
 
 While Just, a bawd to brazen Right, 
 New bastards bear the groaning Truth. 
 
 Suppose we take a backward look. 
 Past years as yet scarce out o' moulds : 
 
 You, from your near-illumined Book, 
 I — whence no home-trick holds. 
 
 In damning truth, a proper pry. 
 
 Since at its head War whets his sword. 
 While Justice puts her jegis by. 
 
 And eats his brag and bully's word — 
 
16 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 A look as far as when befell, 
 
 What glamored fierce the bridging sea. 
 Each flary crest at push to tell 
 
 How the white stones shone in Kimberley — 
 
 And dimmed your faith and glossed the pledge, 
 And juggled Right with wheedling Wrong; 
 
 Gave Cant new stand — this privilege: 
 To rest all cause on proof of Strong. 
 
 Your pious grab, the half-heart rue, 
 The hush you paid to still a twinge, 
 
 All snugged within this lofty view — 
 
 "He steers the moke who holds the cinch." 
 
 But in your big Book that's fable now. 
 Might sleep, kept not this line awake — 
 
 "That meddling pasts, ne'er done, somehow,' 
 Assess for quits all present stake." 
 
 Since just as deft his story wove 
 
 The yellow Devil in the Rand, 
 As Dame Empire, O, so high suave. 
 
 Took bleary Mammon by the hand — 
 
Boer Wir Lyrics. 17 
 
 And there was nudge and jobbing kiss, 
 And scan o' map and leer of eye : 
 
 "How came our wits so wide of this — 
 It lay so near and tempting by ?" 
 
 While in at gate flowed pick and raflf, 
 For catch is life to brotherhood ; 
 
 Each tribesman bent, thro' clean or draff, 
 To swing his carp from out the mud. 
 
 And every hoist and tackle told, 
 
 As sure it ought, where sleek and trim, 
 
 At scoop and dive for wriggling gold, 
 The big Mouths join and steer the Swim. 
 
 While coy, thro' fill of common eye. 
 As fadged with tooth of safer breed, 
 
 Smug Power yet found crumbs to fry, 
 While sampling Chefs gave dainty heed. 
 
 And snacks went 'round for taste and tout : 
 The Home-cook swore the stuff was fine ; 
 
 "Why should such plums be ladled out 
 To grunting clod and boorish swine?" 
 
18 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 "Not swell our own and proved Menu? 
 
 This crowd at board keeps coming still : 
 Suppose we shift, a son insu. 
 
 To nab his joint, and eke the bill ? 
 
 "Or what's the same — ^we fix his stew, 
 Put such a sauce in broth and dish — 
 
 Such plausive snap and tang o' True — 
 That none shall dream we came to fish : 
 
 "But love of man was all we meant ; 
 
 Till, less in doubt each lode-star gaze, 
 At Heaven's clear, tho' mute intent, 
 
 By as we head, to hold her pace. 
 
 "And this fellow, certes, has sore behoof 
 To take a word from wiser mouths, 
 
 Who has stretched his crib and smoky roof 
 Whence North-from, down, tke zone-line 
 souths ; 
 
 "Almost a split — a crying jag; 
 
 A scare at top, a threat, below; 
 An ugly tuck that scrimps the bag 
 
 We meant to fill as harvests grow. 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 19 
 
 "In our big sail a plaguy reef, 
 
 Were it not that craft o' his pert make 
 
 With too much head have come to grief, 
 Strew bottom up our rushing wake. 
 
 "Against the owl what counts the mouse ? 
 
 But no. That strains a bit the proper zest: 
 He shall have due of grounds and house. 
 
 We'll dish for him as for the rest. 
 
 " 'Twill daze him, sure, our big provide. 
 Till, on a breath, he vent his stare : 
 
 " 'Such doors as these had best be tried, 
 Ere back to thatch and homely fare.' 
 
 "And say he sulks, we'll coax him in : 
 What does he care who carves the meat ? 
 
 So fill of fodder strew the bin, 
 
 Who rules the loft, or heads the treat ? 
 
 "He will never quibble on a word. 
 
 Give simple *rob' a double sense ; 
 But loyal strain shall well accord 
 
 With leave of thrift and competence. 
 
20 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 "And 'tis trite as dirt, where'er we go, 
 The sleek slut, Trade, trots close at heel, 
 
 'Gainst whose hard sense how fares the saw, 
 The musty fib — 'Thou shalt not steal !' 
 
 "Yes — ^we'll be his staff and hedge him fine. 
 Till lust of Have like gospel read, 
 
 And his backbone in the general spine 
 Does merge its hump and dogged breed. 
 
 "The idiot pluck with which he strove 
 To shield his hearth with freehold fence, 
 
 And rather wear the homely wove 
 Than rig to suit our lofty sense. 
 
 "His rooted stand and settled haze 
 
 The foot he plants 'gainst sudden New, 
 
 Whose golden tilth and reap of grace 
 Holds furrowed snug the only True. 
 
 "His crafty shield; those mealy snares 
 For simple lambs. His wolfish doubt, 
 
 When, stung and wrung with sore his cares. 
 They flocked to help friend Hodges out — 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 21 
 
 "And forced from faith his better word, 
 And warped his truth with keen despair, 
 
 That the large rights for which he chored 
 Should never greet a lineal heir. 
 
 "But all his throb and bitter sweat, 
 His blood paid down for desert lands, 
 
 Should snap its lease, be lightly set 
 A hawker's trust in stranger hands — 
 
 "And how for this he bled and drove, 
 Cribbed-in this band of saintly Peace; 
 
 Played wary host to all their trove. 
 
 Made yare go 'round the golden fleece — 
 
 "And worst — those sons of loot, his bossy 
 crew! 
 Who, fearing thieves, would chance no 
 charm. 
 But gag the spoiler 'fore he grew 
 To oust their rights with legal arm. 
 
 "All this: shocks! 'Twere worth a bloody 
 nose: 
 
 To size him up, then pare him down. 
 Till, as to cure the treatment grows. 
 
 We snug him hale within the Crown. 
 
22 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 "A gem whose shine and proper place 
 And dapper fit to lofty plan 
 
 He'll soon see clear thro' his amaze. 
 With contrite heart — the leal man. 
 
 "And Square-toes' gait at last be set; 
 
 With social wash to status brought 
 His lowly breed and rustic sweat : 
 
 O, God of Thrift! What happy thought I" 
 
 When hard upon this longish muse, 
 Which, if it fail of absolute mold. 
 
 Is yet what, at a close peruse, 
 
 A muddled act does broadly hold — 
 
 When pat, to suit Godfather's cue. 
 That pious child, the hungry League 
 
 Was christened snug and gospeled through, 
 Anoint with salve of high intrigue; 
 
 Nay, preached and bore the brainless gang. 
 Who gripped at throat the better hope 
 
 While Right, with due, past caution rang 
 How every neck was worth a rope. 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 23 
 
 And 'woke this cry with warning rouse — 
 "Since Neighbor Near seem Neighbor Pike, 
 
 'Twere time small fry made fast the house, 
 Girt fence and gate with double spike." 
 
 Since when, what other brood of kindred grace, 
 Which, true to stock, the devil yeans. 
 
 Joined trick and tooth and darksome ways 
 To work the bolts by subtler means ! 
 
 While last — O, John, will ne'er thy friends be 
 wise? 
 
 What balm, tho' gross with clumsy tape, 
 What quacks' set-up in surgeon's guise 
 
 Came foisting, fuddling from the Cape! 
 
 What hangman's cure and mad appeal, 
 What blind invoke past doubt of suit. 
 
 What sowings thrust with iron heel. 
 Whose yet no half has bore its fruit ! 
 
 Oh, yes, thro' stress and truce, and right along. 
 It still repeats the old-time game, 
 
 How brother Weak met brother Strong, 
 Who saw, and took, and felt no shame. 
 
24 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 Whom so self-dread, that final awe. 
 
 Could graft on soul this chastening sense — 
 
 That endless widening circles Law, 
 Rules nations' hopes as single mens'* 
 
 But strangled fierce his safer light, 
 Let smiling Nears hide frowning Fars, 
 
 Whose then approach twice ruthless write, 
 To hastening pace, fulfilling Stars. 
 
 Who pinned on back of brazen years 
 This shrift o' theirs to coming times : 
 
 "He minded not the silent leers, 
 The steady sooth the Sybil rhymes." 
 
 Whose burdened wreath may never bear 
 'Mong graven gems this baser stone, 
 
 Which, from low seat tho' crude it flare. 
 Twice sorry dims the blazoned throne — 
 
 While doubly thence its legend reads : 
 "I tithe no blench to higher Wills, 
 
 But hold it cardinal 'mong creeds 
 'Tis love of self that all fulfills." 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 25 
 
 Since, certes, good John, the wide Fates kiss: 
 Their sum-up Clerks need not be told 
 
 By one grim page to set this quizz — 
 "So little wise and yet so old." 
 
 So heady still, spite curb of years. 
 
 Such toper there where hard heads brew 
 
 Against some Guest that sobering nears, 
 From draff o' old the cleaner New. 
 
 From cross of Days some bear-up Creed — 
 To sum of Why the sweet Reply, 
 
 Than cyphered Fate of clearer breed. 
 And purge to text she teacheth by — 
 
 The "yea" to "nay" of self-sick man. 
 
 What crowns his raw and groan-fed Stars; 
 
 With olived light the vulture's span 
 That gores as yet all warding bars ; 
 
 Who, tho' still she strew her trophied trail 
 O'er sanguine sore, but fading seas, 
 
 Marks lift, and girt with nobler mail, 
 As sturdy rise, white-bucklered Peace. 
 
26 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 But I have had my Httle say : — 
 The Muse is such a taunting lass ; 
 
 She grips your hand, and will or nay, 
 
 'Tis bear her tongue ere brooked to pass — 
 
 In sooth, she says she's really done: 
 O'erhead a prim and foolish Moon, 
 
 In trappings borrowed from the Sun, 
 Flaunts gay her frock and silver shoon. 
 
 E'en so will human Wit fling wide 
 Its took-on crest and glittering gear. 
 
 What are but glancings as they glide 
 From off the Truth's all-spanning sphere. 
 
 So will the Muse stand hard at gaze 
 Beneath this mystic, myriad Arch, 
 
 Hear faint thro' rush of whirling days 
 Time's silent roundsmen file and march— 
 
 Their never ending, ordered beat. 
 
 Those footsteps yare that warning fall 
 
 And charge each hand to bide the meet, 
 Account his watch, or void the Roll. 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 27 
 
 Nay, nothing daunted, pause to catch 
 } erhaps their song, perhaps the jars; 
 
 Through sting and throb, at strain to match 
 Their measures to some boundless Star's. 
 
 But yet at Wrong she cannot bide 
 Must have her jog at slug-slow Time: 
 
 How far it rouse his hard-bound hide — 
 Ah ! there's the test of quickening rhyme ! 
 
28 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 THE GIBBET-SONG.* 
 
 I dozed — had dipped in gray of dreams — ■ 
 While at gate of mind no sentry sat, 
 But such blithe watch and ward whereat 
 The Fancy laughs, more tricksy sports her airy 
 gleams — 
 Had dipped — unrobed, immersed, for all she 
 
 fought. 
 In the bath, each leaden limb of weary 
 Thought. 
 
 Such truce ! — while shoal of dreams slid restful 
 by; 
 When, hark ! Came phantomed not upon the 
 misty air, 
 
 * The onus of the South African War seems, in the 
 main, to have rested on three pairs of shoulders — those 
 i of Rhodes (who has now excused himself). Chamberlain 
 and Milner. 
 
 The Gallows is a composite something — a sort of trio 
 -also — known to assume burdens, likewise, to-wit : the 
 Beam, the Trap, and the Rope. 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 29 
 
 At hum and buzz, some quaint palavering 
 
 there — 
 Some spell — which, ere the tranced ear could 
 
 sort and try, 
 Took vision, too, put up, made free, 
 Where Reverie's haunts and workings be. 
 
 The eeriest shapes — tho' of yon fierce breed 
 That cows sweet Song, harsh-tunes her 
 
 chime, 
 Thick-mists the heights she fain would climb, 
 Yet, e'en so, their sad defence and privilege 
 plead : 
 Rude differences, of mark and poise. 
 That, 'gainst all manners, prompt her voice : 
 
 The weirdest set, — ^tho' jovial, too, if looks de- 
 scribe. 
 And hardy Mirth — yon gamy stuff that seeks 
 
 no bush, 
 Which Muse will start when, at a push. 
 She sports the string of hoot and jibe; 
 
 Tho' God help! as many a licensed rascal 
 knows, 
 A proper chord, for all its ring of lashing 
 prose. 
 
30 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 But who were they ? By way of count, the eye 
 Had made them three — some treble pink, or 
 
 clover there — 
 Tho', sooth to say, I never saw the threefoll 
 wear 
 The weird wild grace they conjured by. 
 
 But then, what can't Illusion shadow forth, 
 That shames the needle, souths the north? 
 
 The First — in faith, all had a cunning trick . 
 Of linking arms, a hang-together sort of 
 
 look, 
 Which how to severalize and separate book 
 Comes hard, save unto whom, among Life's 
 pick 
 Of strange acquaintance, she makes free 
 Shall have close dealings with these Cor- 
 porate Three. 
 
 This First — a lanky chap He was, of way-up 
 size, 
 Clean-timbered, straight as pine-grain flows. 
 Or frank heart feels, yet now, for, certes, 
 some heinous cause. 
 His way was curt, his speech came grim — some 
 hanged surmise 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 31 
 
 His gaunt frame feels, which, as it shoulder- 
 ing brings 
 To view his level top, spoke curious things 
 
 While the Second, tho' less staunch of thew, 
 Say, to the others beam as boards of clap. 
 Showed yet his ilk — a jaw alive as any trap ; 
 Tho' one, who backed his sense with feeling, 
 too; 
 'For the way he would warm up, take on, and 
 
 lead, 
 .When as some new light broke, was sight 
 indeed. 
 
 And last, that sprawling Third — so meek, so 
 mincing slim, 
 You 'Id never ha' dreamt how's his gag was 
 
 bound, 
 In the end, to clinch a subject, coil it round, 
 As he let out that twisting trick of him ; 
 
 Which, till erring Man and Time debate no 
 
 more. 
 Shall still leave points for Master Rope to 
 score. 
 
32 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 Well — here was Company, if all was square? 
 A doubt stood out, heard Heart say, 
 
 "Brother Brain, , 
 Good Sir, have you been chumming with the 
 
 Wine again ?" 
 When, "No," flung back the Head, "I wasn't 
 
 there 
 This many a day; since when my kindling 
 
 deities are 
 But a cup of Oolong and a mild cigar." 
 
 Yet, drat the thing ! 'Twould take no nay ; 
 
 The stuff came fierce. Some blaze seenied on, 
 
 And, tho' with no clear ground to go upon, 
 I thought I said, "Let come what may, 
 
 I'll hear it out," tho' 'ts trick for strange now 
 topped the score. 
 
 For by Grab and Stab! they spoke of War. 
 
 Yon feud that stains South Afric's land, 
 The foul use to which a giant's sword 
 Had long been put, 'gainst some young ward 
 
 Of freedom's there. How the gallant tho' for- 
 lorn band. 
 Compeers of Fame, made ring her page 
 With won'^'^- of the strife they singly wage. 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 33 
 
 Nay, what took me most, — but then, 
 
 What good to ponder how these Councillors 
 
 three 
 Came to speak so tactic-deep, so judgingly 
 *Bout how that bully's brawl might not have 
 
 been, 
 Had they, on strength of prospect, in their 
 
 wholesome way, 
 From forth the tingling cheek of modern 
 
 Day, 
 
 With timely hand, rebuking, wiped this burn- 
 ing shame. 
 Made knavery uncloak, ere treason flew 
 Her couriers flaunting of their liveried True, 
 And with craft of covert mired a goodly name; 
 No good to ponder this, now the vile flood 
 
 has broke. 
 Yet fact, or no — it was the way these wor- 
 thies spoke. 
 
 And queer'st of all, — by some strange spell 
 They becked me on, and, edging 'round. 
 As in some magic circle held me bound, 
 
 When, "now," cried they, "it fits us tell, 
 'Less thou be one of those, too apt by far. 
 Who, shuffling, try to shape their star, 
 
34 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 By tale, lined smug with pleasing sooth, 
 
 And, like world-wise husbands, till and farm 
 No lease that tinge with thought of harm — 
 We doubt you sore — than sweat at back of 
 rugged Truth ; 
 Who expound all fact by textman Strong, 
 Glibbed ne'er so smooth with fine-spun 
 Wrong." 
 
 "Yes, *swounds ! said they, it fits us tell,' — 
 When, as with sense of proper cue. 
 The Beam — ^the fellow of the sturdy thew — 
 
 Spoke singly out : like tongue of rousing bell 
 That on still deeps of vasty midnight falls, 
 To doom of raging flood, or fire calls. 
 
 Reverberate rang his ghostly strain : 
 "Had I been there, on Afric's shore. 
 Where homes mid toil the hardy Boer ; 
 
 Or, there where erst was laid the train 
 And cunning fuse, whose rowdy charge 
 Set War's deep-mouthed hounds at large — 
 
 Been there — good now and well-a-day! 
 Proud Cecil's hunger for more Earth, 
 To swell a tottering empire in the girth. 
 
 No thought for 'ts feet, those props of clay. 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 35 
 
 Should for its fill, or nearways bound, 
 Have had a six foot some of Christian 
 ground. 
 
 Or, grant, this stories not, by far, 
 
 Quite twists, the way his craving came; 
 That a wider mark went roves with Fame : 
 
 E'en so — the fatuous head he gave his star 
 Balked still true rise, yon warier climb, 
 Which must match foot with patient Time. 
 
 But, take in both; let honor owe 
 
 Some voice to each; yet some base touch no 
 merit downs, 
 
 Sinks born kings to range with clowns, 
 Wreaked here its curse thro' human law, 
 
 And, deriving whence no issue sleep. 
 
 Would have had yon stern verdict keep. 
 
 Since, so had no lure that Mammon piles 
 Blazed wide to men, "I know ye all; 
 Lo, here my truck, lo, there your soul ! 
 
 And, what devil doubts, but damned files 
 For lasting count, scores twice this creed : 
 "Fair ends must bear what foul means 
 breed." 
 
36 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 So had ne'er cried out 'gainst fearsome spilth 
 No brave mens' blood, no blasted home 
 Made sick the times, sensed fierce the stars, 
 past where they dome 
 Shrilled wildly forth "this is the husbandry 
 whose tilth, 
 When gathered full its ghastly sheaf. 
 Shall blight with shame each laureled leaf, 
 
 "That England wears, where ranker grow," — 
 Well — this topped, I thought, all patient 
 
 sense. 
 And it seemed I said "Now pray you whence 
 This dire bode? What glass be yours that it 
 should show 
 What veils all view," — here, while my lip 
 
 still quivering hung, 
 Their wizard spell had tied my tongue; 
 
 As from out my Dream there rose once more. 
 This time that other's grim, now boding 
 
 voice 
 I thought so sleek, yet full of poise. 
 And, tho' still you traced the snap it bore, 
 'T had now an eager, vast, nay, solemn 
 
 sound. 
 As if chiming with the sky-paths 'round. 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 37 
 
 Withal, it was mine ancient friend's, the Trap, 
 As lo, he dire spoke, "and had I been there. 
 Where southward down the Capelands bear, 
 
 Had I not quenched with my good cap, 
 O'er-topped his crest, that Milner man. 
 Whose swell of head to the Imperial plan 
 
 "Such havoc worked, that toiling Day 
 Nor patient Night, tho' joining chore. 
 Retrieves the base that rose before; 
 
 But as sad Fates their grim plots lay, 
 Nor scorn no aid from scheming Breath, 
 Shall, waning, sink t'ward leveling Death." 
 
 At this — as from its curb had once more broke 
 The Will — my safer self — ^tho' cowed and 
 
 pent 
 Within their witching grip, I roused and 
 
 bent 
 The tongue to hot retort, and spoke : 
 
 "Who're you, that spurs so fierce the instant 
 
 Right, 
 Who'ld wage conclusions with the patient 
 
 Light?" 
 
38 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 Then more calm— for within his look 
 There sate a gleam, that still, clear gaze, 
 By which dim Destiny all opposite weighs, 
 Nay, her least owing brings to book — 
 
 T faltered forth: "What? him they've 
 
 frilled a lord ? 
 You 'Id from your great good heart have 
 spared a cord?" 
 
 "Knit closer up this raveled night? 
 
 Or bee' St thou then?" — Here fell again, past 
 pen to tell. 
 
 On tongue and will that gruesome spell, 
 Tho' heart and brain seemed steeped in light ; 
 
 As in voice, whose vast no star-deep girds, 
 
 'Rose grim, I thought, that eerie Thirds ;' 
 
 Now halting, meek, no more. O, futile trope! 
 
 To suit to trick of verbal range 
 
 What boundless garbs past millioned change, 
 Yet here, in humble guise of him, the Rope, 
 
 Spoke valiant out, tho' slept each sense-watch 
 there, 
 
 Unvoicing very thunder by compare: 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 39 
 
 "And had I been where across the sea, 
 Confederate, girt, with bulwark tides, 
 Fair Albion, on proud leave, divides, 
 
 With Ocean's state, his empery; 
 
 On his white bastion fearless stands. 
 While lift with light the beaconed hands; 
 
 But out of mark, unstatured, sinks, 
 All tribute once, now scarce a heed. 
 Some trick, at best, sad memories breed. 
 
 When the large well, whence Honor drinks. 
 He fierce pollutes, the loath cup drains, 
 Inglorious pledged to siren gains ; 
 
 When the large glow, which constant shone, 
 Now winnows Night no never more. 
 Blasphemes its trust, the spacious charge it 
 missioned bore. 
 And all his anchored pride be overthrown, 
 While up from heaving seas comes brooding 
 
 cast, 
 To moan of threnody, his vanished past. 
 
 Ah ! had I been there, ere hawks could trail, 
 Could, hounding, snatch at brooding Peace; 
 Ere her wild brother's bugle shook the seas : 
 
 Had I not ta'en a reef in Joseph's sail — 
 
40 Boer War Lyrics* 
 
 The Crest and Swell, which false at source, 
 Pluck whelm and blast to path their course ; 
 
 Ere broke the storm, yon blood-red tide, 
 Man's will, 'gainst very Fate is bound 
 To probe and check, but which he, callous, 
 failed to sound : 
 
 Had I not made his tacks go wide, 
 
 Charmed lasting 'round with my good noose 
 The brazen throat that poohed the truce. 
 
 Yet from her deep lip that answereth not, 
 Save where with pupil's grace you tend her 
 
 school, 
 Sought shuffling plea, acclaimed for Rule, 
 
 Yon vaunted policy, whose flattering rot 
 Outwits itself, aborts all plan 
 Thro' fierce array of brawling man ; 
 
 Whose passing equity, the worldly Sure, 
 
 Might never yet a neutral stand, did witness 
 
 bear — 
 Yon hosting skies no plainer there — 
 
 Than that Nations' lives may not endure. 
 But shall buoy up dark things of Night, 
 That, at issue, watch the orient Light; 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 41 
 
 Be as brief posts twixt here and hence, 
 Time, the user-of-them-for his haste. 
 Their barred entail what feeds his waste. 
 Slaves his command, confounds all whence; 
 When Aggression evermore fierce yokeman 
 
 go,— 
 Cries 's rage no halt, — with Nature's grim 
 and blood-red law. 
 
 A-well, — so set, to some such words. 
 So substanced to their dour pith, 
 Tho' the pen, at push for its wherewith. 
 
 May, chance, interpreting the rousing chords. 
 And, as becomes an instrument of Breath, 
 Be scanting what their phrenzy saith, — 
 
 Yet thus, from past all conscious source, 
 Mark, manner, privilege of Thought, 
 Trite limit of the time-bound brought. 
 
 Rang his appeal, whose fierce discourse. 
 Lest Truth, sore tossed, succumb despair, 
 Exhort no more, inspiring tongued the 
 womby air. 
 
42 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 Whereon, as if to merge each single act, 
 Fuse straying motive, pledge them one, 
 Have, whence 'mid blaze of myriad sun. 
 The Theme enacts, or, where trite performs the 
 meanest fact. 
 Some prompting Light declare, "this scene 
 
 spake true. 
 Broad-based on Just to climax grew." 
 
 Nay, as to have once more this Sponsor say : 
 "Tho' wrath with ruth perplex my theme, 
 And thro' pall of cloud my pathways gleam. 
 
 And truckling augurs bode them nay ; 
 Yet came ne'er so lost my omened sooth, 
 But some light broke dim with warning 
 truth." 
 
 Even so, as some such charge they bore, 
 Now blent, as they were one, those Voices 
 
 three : 
 Their mingled strains, consonantly. 
 Took jointly up this general score. 
 
 Whose burden — scale and pace to utmost 
 
 star — 
 Did, rounding, swell their awful bar : 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 43 
 
 "Had we had leave, as we have will. 
 Laid on the rod, nor spared the hand. 
 But that dim Fates did baffling stand. 
 
 Called out : "Leave off, forbear, till we fulfill, 
 While etern Purpose, evermore at large. 
 Abeyant files your bitter charge!" 
 
 "Might we have shook us in our strength, 
 Hadn't we laid low, by his ruffian heel. 
 This ogred Wrong — his mealy trick his bloat 
 appeal — 
 
 Cramped hell to hold his felon's length ? 
 Her warders been, saved England's shame, 
 Ere Execration he her other name? 
 
 "Ere as fiends, below, join in the flout. 
 Match their sad spirits, hopelessly compare 
 Who takes the crown for vileness there,- 
 
 Hang shameful heads, as Infamy points out, 
 This imp, cross of Greed and lewd Complot, 
 His human sires monstrously begot. 
 
 Whose unclean hand foul-featured Fame, 
 Young, timid traits of Peace that grew, 
 And as from some struggling dawn, glad- 
 messaged, flew 
 
 With this — that God to man, howso He came, 
 
44 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 Mote ne'er fulfill His sacred call, 
 
 Ere wisdomed lift, while sink each thrall. 
 
 That passioned slaves, lets taskman Time 
 Exact to a jot what brags his lease. 
 And Breath blind-pays for his appease : — 
 
 Ere lift, willed forth this dauntless rhyme — 
 "Spite bonds that cling, nor seem to bate. 
 Some Free may war gainst him and Fate." 
 
 Wage hard from lips of thirsting Truth 
 To dash this rank-envenomed Cup, 
 Adulterous Policy holdeth up, 
 Pledged cunning deep with serpent sooth — 
 "That the lie which in the Weak be breach 
 
 of trust. 
 In the Strong, may hollow drape and play 
 the Just." 
 
 Usurp and steal in that fair shape. 
 
 For fellowship with him the roysterer, 
 
 Sword, 
 Shut out her cheer, the gentle Word, 
 Profane her wreath, its laurel ape ; 
 
 Steel twice the heart, glass dark this law : 
 "There be no Truth: one bitter blank the 
 Heavens go." 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 45 
 
 At this — much Hke some sudden storm, that 
 for 's ease, 
 At his mad pleasure, whelmed the skies, 
 Whose purpose carried, all his wild mood 
 dies, 
 His course accounted, and his wake the peace : 
 So happy sank — fast curtained now, each 
 
 ghost-film laid — 
 From sight and sound, that threefold Shade. 
 
 And thus my Dream, past link or bound 
 Of yon close web which nets all Thought, 
 To final plat its loomwork wrought ; 
 
 Its crowning braid — the instant tint, the fer- 
 vent ground — 
 What deep worked in some veiled hand, 
 And bade both woof and pattern stand. 
 
 And, safe-keep it so, thou justest God! 
 
 Deny it not its lease of wear, 
 
 Spite what coarse thread of Earth it bear, 
 All warp that fames the needy sod ! 
 
 But, suffered, let its touch unfold 
 
 Some seed of Truth's anumb with cold. 
 
46 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 Th' impeach, the taunt — account them not, 
 But as they still prevail with tardy man. 
 And, differing, derogate Thy vast of plan, 
 
 Would bettering eke its bountied What — 
 All strange which holds, past Thought, that 
 
 waits, 
 The shrouded edicts of unmeasured Fates ! 
 
 Profess it Thine its core o' grace — 
 What strove to bare the covered fault, 
 The tort, whose gross, to top assault. 
 
 Would brazen mask its borrowed face. 
 Derive intent, refer its course 
 To Thine clear will and prompting source. 
 
 At which thought, again, alas, will fall 
 
 That bitter cry; at rude division pierce the 
 
 ear. 
 As Sight thickens, to eclipse of Fear, 
 My ghostly Speakers cast their pall, 
 Break bounds twixt this and some yet 
 
 Hence, 
 Perturb, once more, the sequences of Sense; 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 47 
 
 While eerie lifts, at fresh loom there — 
 When unnatural trespass stalks the mind, 
 Invokes the equity it fails to find — 
 
 Those juried Three ; as the empaneled air 
 Repeats, that wanton power hallows Wrong, 
 Those aweful measures of the Gallows' Song. 
 
48 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 THE SCAR. 
 
 Heart heavy, her mantle torn, and with bleed- 
 ing feet; 
 As from out some Dream b'yond wide- 
 visioned Night, 
 Unverged, unfollowed where her infinites meet, 
 On brow, withal, an unextinguishable Light. 
 
 Came crownless Glory, seeking of the haunts of 
 man, 
 To find him from her faith same swerver 
 still. 
 Who, tho' suffered factor in this fabled Plan, 
 Its wonder jars with shock of passion and the 
 worldly will. 
 
 From out those self-same Deeps, against whose 
 Sight 
 Yon white suns veil them, that o' Times they 
 are. 
 Came also he, the Greed — his lust of Have and 
 love of Might, 
 To fame his flush, tho' shrouded, nay, how 
 brazen, Star. 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 49 
 
 Full-orbed, if ever, thro' yet feud of Days, 
 Whose strides would bridge it, but contrive 
 no span. 
 Where, beneath, tides on forever, yea, in 
 shrewder maze 
 Time's scruteless burden, since his own be- 
 gan; 
 
 Whose Strange withal to lighten, 'less all hope 
 were dumb, 
 And, ere the Riddle wearied that no answer 
 grew, 
 What still some sad twinge told him must abide 
 its sum. 
 Yet, on some wild prospect that chance Glory 
 knew. 
 
 In this crude fashion sought to draw the 
 Seraph out : 
 "Why dost thou moan? Will Man ne'er 
 know thee as thou really art ? 
 Mark how I am followed, how his bawdy rout, 
 His brutish hordes, have throve and fatted 
 at my feeling heart ! 
 
50 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 "How I have kd him from 'way down the 
 Scale, 
 While something better, — yes, I've dreamt 
 'twas you, — 
 Devised those touches, made his red hand quail, 
 Reproved the bully when most fierce he 
 slew." 
 
 "Yet, look you, even when his best is told. 
 Some bias granted where awards divide ; 
 Under the glass now — is he other than the* 
 beast of old, 
 Have your pricks struck deeper than his 
 spotty hide?" 
 
 Is your varnish more than the rogue's, whose 
 saint 
 For a fast or vigil wipes him, then gross- 
 daubs him new ? 
 Ah! that I chance fouled him, helped flush the 
 paint ? 
 Tut, tut, that still outfathoms, yea, or me, or 
 you. 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 51 
 
 Come, be wise! Subscribe me proper! Sleek 
 my Spoiler's hand, 
 So its foul grip hallow, thought a blight 
 before, — 
 Avouch it mine that grace that haunts me while 
 the Heavens stand, 
 Since first my gray dawn dimmed it 'mong 
 white lights of yore. 
 
 Why should'st thou sorrow? Why those 
 bleeding feet? 
 Thy humble garment? Yon rapt, far-off 
 gaze ? 
 The voice that falters thro' its dim entreat? 
 Thy brow, sore pondering of this thankless 
 maze, — 
 
 Thy brow, where lo ! — ah, 'tis the riddle which 
 I blind pursue — 
 Yon fond star frets it and divides thy gloom : 
 H«ark! Wilt thou not lend it me? In guise 
 of True, 
 Let its rose be grafted on my baser bloom ? 
 
52 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 Since, how then still goodlier might my out- 
 ward show; 
 
 My pose, my policy, each brood of shame, 
 Which my wily statists at their game of draw — 
 
 My foxy henchmen — give a smoother name ; 
 
 How still more potent were my toils than 
 now, — 
 When "Nay" spoke gently Glory, "that out- 
 goes my leave: 
 How might I stand me where the high Fates 
 bow 
 Before the Will, that crowns no issue not 
 thine own achieve." 
 
 "What! Thou wilt not?" Came the fierce 
 respond. 
 As on deep Night there rose a mocking and 
 a damned wail, 
 "Mark how I justify my bitter bond. 
 
 How where fools refuse me there I grim 
 assail!" 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 53 
 
 When, forth, on its fell errand, went a grisly- 
 hand, 
 As the dread skies shook them and the winds 
 spoke hoarse, 
 To grasp the star no wheedling parley, nor no 
 harsh command. 
 May impious sever from its bounden course. 
 
 Nay, for one foul moment gripped it, made 
 the Jewel press 
 Those hairy temples where the gross 
 thoughts strive 
 To vie the light no false faith borrows, so its 
 sheen may bless 
 And cloak the trickster while his jugglings 
 thrive; 
 
 But like a shadow shall its wonder chill : 
 So even here: it left more pinched the low 
 brow there, 
 
 Yet, as if sorry even for unrighteous will. 
 Made still, for ruth, the base ridge wear, 
 
54 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 At upward blazon 'tward yon veiled Deeps, 
 Where the lights ensky them past the zenith 
 star, 
 A blot — a, bruise, whose fiery throb no opiate 
 sleeps, 
 A branding, brazen, yet a piteous scar ; 
 
 Which, in his better hour, he, the ogre. Greed, 
 Applying to its sorry wound the comfort of 
 the salve. 
 Which 'gainst Time's woe, for even him, the 
 high Hopes breed, 
 Allays that brutal sting — his love of Rule 
 and lust of Have. 
 
 But out, alas! When sad companion of the 
 fated Night, 
 Whence, struggling tho' her bitter spur, his 
 dark will came. 
 He aims to conjure with yon gentler Light, 
 To screen his knavish Cant, filch Glory's 
 name ; 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 55 
 
 When cloaked in practise, till the Heavens 
 doubt, 
 False hopes estrange him with his franker 
 star ; 
 How vengeful then, how giant grim, stands 
 fiery out 
 Yon thievish, brazen, branding Scar! 
 
56 Bo:;r War Lyrics. 
 
 TO ENGLAND: A FORECAST. 
 
 (With a side-light on Kipling's verse "The 
 Islanders.") 
 
 "Those flannded fools at the wicket, 
 Those muddied Oafs at the goal.'* 
 
 Oh yes, make no doubt, — you shall need them ; 
 
 If not now, at some near-upon time, 
 P'rhaps fast as your mothers dare breed them. 
 
 Those fools of his militant rhyme. 
 
 For, tho' it be not a day that covers 
 
 What stern Reckoners, withal, must try, ^ 
 
 And, ere Retribution that hovers 
 
 Shall swoop down on the Greed and the lie ; 
 
 Yet, sure as red War do thin them. 
 
 Your brave ranks dished cold on his tray, 
 
 Shall your wits study hard how to wir. them — 
 Adding craft to his ravenous play — 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 57 
 
 Those flanneled fools where they dally. 
 With yet good trick o' the human left. 
 
 Who trace, thro' the bounce and the rally. 
 The gross hand of the clumsiest theft; 
 
 If still at his feet, the sad demon of Glory, 
 Whose yet Star screens the Nemesis there. 
 
 You trail foul the white mantle which Story, 
 Long proud, deemed you worthy to wear. 
 
 Have him drink, each Oaf, till he drains it. 
 The sad rue of your rank abuse, 
 
 Till he purge, where your grim lip stains it, 
 The white, passioned font of the Truce. 
 
 And you spill 'gainst some Day that darkens, 
 The sweet blood which more blood must 
 cleanse, 
 
 To appease her, who evermore hearkens, 
 With an ear 'bove all mortal mens' — 
 
 Whose hand, tho' thy now scarce regards it. 
 Nay, with brute challenge her great bond 
 bails, 
 
 'Gainst some audit, how so she retards it, 
 Holds still those immutable scales. 
 
58 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 IWhose tallies, past mortal doubting, 
 Shall yet flame their etern script, 
 
 Set forth b'yond what small gods flouting, 
 Their word in your heart's-blood dipp'd. 
 
 For out of the sad soil reeking, 
 Unstilled while the blood-rain falls, 
 
 Even there, goes a great Wrong seeking. 
 From Camp and from pesthouse calls. 
 
 Seeking — ^wondering, though waiting. 
 Why so patient the ordering Stars ; 
 
 All-wisdomed Wills why so lating 
 The Just which no time-let bars. 
 
 Seeking — ^nay, all but finds it. 
 In the path you must now pursue. 
 
 The scourge, where some grim Fate winds it 
 With her law of the outraged True; 
 
 In the course now blind-blazed before you. 
 Where, still warning her augurs stand. 
 
 Invoking the love she bore you. 
 For stay of your ruthless hand. 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 59 
 
 Oh yes, you shall ill do without them, 
 Those fools his rash fancy drew; 
 
 But then, shall your conscience not doubt them, 
 Shall they not lack faith in you? 
 
 Shall then not the dead Days taunt you. 
 Break their graves, and, with wild surmise, 
 
 Fierce-ghosting the Coming haunt you. 
 Ensanguine the placid skies ? 
 
 Oh, yes; Come Heaven or Hell, you shall need 
 them, 
 
 Where Unjust has so monst'red the score. 
 Her purgers-in-fee, ere you breed them. 
 
 Till Shame be your harlot no more! 
 
60 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 WAR. 
 
 By his blood-red furrow, as of yore — 
 
 The fierce acre he tends, since, her theme in 
 
 chief, 
 Story stained with him her leaf. 
 Nay, since when, come not-yet of age, 
 She but babbled her page — 
 Chance, long bygones before — 
 Heeled and flush, in his bruiser's trim, 
 Howe'er wistful at core, 
 Walketh the War. 
 
 Never a laugh dares sport with him. 
 Only anon the luridest smile 
 Rallies his gloom awhile. 
 Ere it hang as before. 
 
 By the reek of his furrow — 
 Those dank pastures, whose soil. 
 Moistened by ages, augur his toil; 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 61 
 
 Which his scourge-hands have fed, 
 
 Whose come-up and store 
 
 Have quickened and bred 
 
 On his innings of yore, 
 
 On the blood-sweat and broil — 
 
 Still walketh the War ; 
 
 Broad-cast flings his dripping grain. 
 
 Lest, unpurged of tare and weed, 
 
 God's dear harvest come in vain, 
 
 While the Devil nurse his breed. 
 
 Lest, Earth's Mighties, sick for more 
 Lack of grist to heap their store, 
 Sigh that Luck should be so out; 
 Why the slut so meanly heed 
 The sore measure of their need; 
 What blind Fates may be about? 
 
 While, perchance, the grim sower there. 
 
 Fierce and blood-strewing Mars, 
 
 Uneasy his honors wear. 
 
 Inglorious, the ancient scars. 
 
 And his weed-'hands, the plain and dim. 
 
 Be not thought the husbands of Him, 
 
 He, who gathereth the stars. 
 
62 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 Lest his tithe and offering, the War, 
 
 From a heart, thought inconstant and meek, 
 
 Appease not The Evermore ; 
 
 And, in their hallowed and upward seek, 
 
 Less pious now than before, 
 
 The rue and the languishing grue, 
 
 The fall-away reek of the blood-laden stew. 
 
 Hit not His nostril, while gentler strife. 
 
 Cravens the breed of the eager life. 
 
 And, unearned, unworthy, her sober ease. 
 
 She yeaneth the Peace. 
 
 And still, by his furrow, lusting and grim. 
 
 While his seed-hand drips. 
 
 Sowing and reaping, tending his chore. 
 
 As he waileth his hymn — 
 
 That fierce dirge evermore 
 
 Blown hoarse from his lips — 
 
 Towers the War. 
 
 But who be the council and senate of him ? 
 
 Who be his teamsmen, where be the whips? 
 
 There in the ghost-light, taunting and strange? 
 
 There where all visions pale them and range? 
 
 There where all time-light, tho' vaunting its 
 
 star. 
 The hushes come numbing, so voiceless and far? 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 63 
 
 Yet there, even there, evermore, 
 
 Since first streameth a dawn, 
 
 Hardy and wild, tho' ungrown, 
 
 TolHng his death-song, muffling their lore, 
 
 The brave lyrics of Hfe, 
 
 Speeds not the strife. 
 
 Stalks not the War ? 
 
 As he moody fulfills those inscrutable Wills — 
 
 At one hand, the Spirit's, on the other, the 
 
 Sod's, 
 That anointed of Gods; 
 Here, that fierce purger, the Truth's, 
 There, the healing, the infinite Ruth's, 
 Divinely at odds — 
 Those miracled Twain, 
 Deep-twinning, past name. 
 From whose life-streaming well. 
 Whose concept and womb, 
 Floweth birth-song and knellj 
 Issue cradle and tomb. 
 
 Here and there, evermore. 
 Since first lifted a prime. 
 And mortal with him, 
 Father Hazy, old Time, 
 Untokened and dim. 
 
64 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 From the brood-mists of yore, 
 
 His chief breather was bore; 
 
 Craving and unsated still, 
 
 Feedeth the War. 
 
 On one hand, the God-will, 
 
 On the other, the Man's, 
 
 Bounden a chooser, or liege to the chance? 
 
 Who shall assign it ? Each where it fall ? 
 
 Prove the parts from the Whole ? 
 
 How may they plead — Doer, and deed? 
 
 Response, 'gainst the Call ? 
 
 Is there a name for the appeal and the claim, 
 
 From the shaping to Shaper, 
 
 The Judger that scans. 
 
 While dim Fates yet fulfill. 
 
 Exalting ordain. 
 
 Thro' the stress and the pain. 
 
 That high something, the Will, 
 
 Bid it rise to the answer, 
 
 Tho' one with the Plan's? 
 
 Ay, — shall the soul not be held to the vast 
 
 reply ? 
 Or, shall its dower of light. 
 Widowed of wonder, sad mate with the Night, 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 65 
 
 Like what fierce-flaunting Sun's, 
 
 When its pomp is done, 
 
 Fail him and die? 
 
 Be the soul, its selfhood a dream. 
 
 But some phantom- fed gleam? 
 
 Past yon torches that burn, 
 
 Unbarred may no high suit go? 
 
 But beggared, unmorrowed, never to know, 
 
 Unvisioned etern. 
 
 Behold not, with humbled, tho' how larger eyes, 
 
 The Fountains that rise ? 
 
66 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 CLIO. 
 
 From out my tossed and wayward page, 
 Where yet to prompt it, broad and clear, 
 God and demon struggling wage — 
 Thoughts of hope gainst things of Fear — 
 Something lifts : How should I know 
 Why or whence, save that in light, 
 Above my monitors of boding Night — 
 Tally-hands that warning draw, 
 With my good Augers, joint indite, 
 Checked, but sure, the founded law — 
 It gently calls in thy behoof. 
 Rounding my unfinished verse, 
 Clinching, as from pith of proof. 
 What the lines but faint rehearse. 
 While, to deep tho' far-off chords. 
 It voiceth low these simple words : 
 
 "Trust no foul, to frame best end. 
 Lest some taint the high Stars rue, 
 Dark infect all fresher True, 
 Subtly foil its yet portend; 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 67 
 
 And, twice blind with brute unheed, 
 Life's close cypher harder read : 
 Lest unto all after time, 
 With the burden of my rhyme, 
 The unholy jar do foully blend. 
 Grudge and mar its noblest chime : 
 Burden, with whose nameless Deep, 
 Tho' sad paths dim courses keep. 
 Yet repeats, invoking still. 
 Anthemed, the responsive will. 
 Suffered federate with the Prime." 
 
 "Have thy ways confess me just. 
 Lest the Fate, whose hand unfolds 
 Devious what the world-lust holds. 
 Shut out all bound twixt thee and dust : 
 Lest large things, that she did write. 
 Tricked of faith and worthy scope — 
 Hence, unmusicked of the Hope — 
 Juggling blot my tablet's white; 
 Nay, in her despair to shape the Soul, 
 She report ye foul, and tear my Scroll." 
 
6B Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 AVE PAX. 
 
 From forth the hidden, brooding heart of 
 
 Nature lifts a sigh, 
 A wordless, dim beseech, as if of tremulous 
 
 Life, 
 A heave that groaning speaks, withal : "And 
 
 what am I, 
 And all my stars, and myriad thing, and 
 
 Breath arife 
 As with some doom that hears not, some blind 
 
 call to be? 
 Shall my mute yearning ever rend the pall of 
 
 Night? 
 This bond be lifted, and those wills be free? 
 My hfeart swell holy t'ward some only 
 
 Light?" 
 
 "And shall my pains unburden, some glad voice 
 
 be mine ? 
 The feuds surcease them — the brutal onset and 
 
 the bitter stress? 
 This chalice sweeten, flow with heavenly wine? 
 My brood uncurse me, who how fain would 
 
 bless. 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 69 
 
 Till, O, some angeled Pity from these bowels 
 leap, 
 A sweeter wisdom of all ills make ease. 
 And those dreams fulfil them that fond-haunt 
 my sleep : 
 Shall ever on my sore, o'erwatched brow sit 
 promised Peace?" 
 
 And out of stillier Deeps — unfathomed, 
 shrouded than the tomb-hush came — 
 A Vision rose upon her stony, sad, beblinded 
 eyes : — 
 A passioned Shrine, where smiling lay, in chas- 
 tening flame, 
 The white child, Truth — a seraph winging, 
 'gainst its mighty Rise, 
 
 Past Pain and Evil, all fierce brood they bore; 
 While Justice in the holy fire saints her purg- 
 ing rod 
 For infinite Ruth : But 'bove them all, in state 
 no other heaven wore. 
 Abounding Patience sat, in likeness of un- 
 utterable God! 
 
70 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 ALPHA. 
 
 Primer than all the Ages, 
 
 One with the Evermore, 
 Key to Life's sybil pages. 
 
 Prophet whose only lore. 
 
 Time, tho' he muse the Writing — 
 Why so crabbed the cypher run, 
 
 Shall yet word to the heart's inviting 
 Clear-copied than myriad Sun. 
 
 Vaster than all relation, 
 
 Divine, tho' mid Dark he grew, 
 Lest, paltering the fierce negation, 
 
 Unblest come the only True ! 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 71 
 
 OMEGA. 
 
 The goal is ever ; all things tend ; 
 Faiths must waver; Love shall mend; 
 Never issue come to rest — 
 Earthen course, or starry span, 
 Will of God, or heart of man — 
 Pillowed not upon His breast. 
 
72 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 GREATNESS. 
 
 O, thou, the fierce englamored, 
 Hence, at never cease, invoked of man, 
 Who, in the vast procession of the sybil days, 
 Holds up the light he fain would follow, but 
 
 may not conceive; 
 Whose boundless charter and whose nameless 
 
 goal outpasseth Time : — 
 Hast thou, on sufferance of thy liege, the 
 
 Truth 
 The Same, unwearied on whose fiat waits the 
 
 mutinous Dark, 
 Whose breath, withal, fans bright the spheres. 
 Concords the music of their millioned primes ; 
 Whose utter Essence, tho' in substance clad. 
 Yon skies contain not, tho' the heart may 
 
 hold:— 
 Hast thou, the warrant winked-at, yet the 
 
 trust, supreme, 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 73 
 
 On behalf of privilege that might all beseech — 
 Some love past limit, save its ever self — 
 Hast thou, thus, wandered from those shores 
 
 afar, 
 Thy starry synods and the hosting lights, 
 To meet thine image in these mortal ways, 
 So fangled, paltried, and so bitter small — 
 Thine mighty image, which no shadow frets — 
 Such slave to glozing aspect and rude things 
 
 of Here, 
 So pent in durance to the marble law, whose 
 
 nurse are grim coercion and the bloody 
 
 hand? 
 'But, shalt thou not change it, till its lines en- 
 large, 
 False take-offs dwindle, and their craft stand 
 
 out. 
 Nor mate vain-glory for vile thrift of both, 
 And fierce engendering of their dwarfish 
 
 breed ? 
 Shalt thou not change it, let Fame's note come 
 
 true; 
 For her brazen trumpet the small silvery flute. 
 Which draws its heart-strains from the pith of 
 
 Just, 
 And winds accordant with the patient soul? 
 
74 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 Shall its gloried flame not whiter burn, 
 
 The snuff and dross attract no more, 
 
 Set lurid off thy streaming torch, 
 
 Whose glow and essence than the sun-paths 
 
 fed, 
 Outpeers the lustre of their myriad fount. 
 The solemn, fiery-bearing, the uncompassed 
 
 Night? 
 
 'Yea, shalt thou not change it, bid thine features 
 
 grow, 
 (The lines more matching, scope and plan more 
 
 true, 
 I Dispel refraction and all hemming False, 
 Which, girt with mortal tribulation, hang 
 Their warping shadows twixt the Light and 
 
 thee? 
 I Shall Great be greater not, tho' it lowly comes, 
 I The reward o'ertook not ere the Right say 
 
 well? 
 Shalt thou sink hellward not the sorry law, 
 Which bids rude Strength — be it brain, or 
 
 brawn's — 
 .Sit, lofty scorning, by the counseling heart, 
 vSo unaccompanied place its monstrous tribute 
 
 at vain 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 75 
 
 Feet of pride, and brutish idols of the adoring 
 
 sense, 
 On specious plea of covetous ambition — all its 
 
 rage to have and wield — 
 Give wage to sorrow than be frankly served 
 By lasting wisdom and the patient hope, 
 While Policy and Smug Expedience wink 
 Fresh Cues at all? 
 
 Shall thy fair likeness not refigured speak, 
 Each trait come moulded t'ward this crowning 
 
 True — 
 That, Mind, the mightiest, shall outsee itself,. 
 No gift, not servant, round more full the Soul, 
 Nor in the bounteous equipment find 
 The meanest haughty crest, nay tricksiest spur 
 
 upon that crest. 
 Whereon to hang the damned assurance of a 
 
 law. 
 Exempting answer to the gauging Just ; 
 But from the grace and undeserved oblation 
 
 draw. 
 Bring heavenly down — whether in man or 
 
 men. 
 In gathered Nations, or the singler few — 
 Fresh-purposed to the will, fresh trusting 
 
iK6 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 And sustaining there, the guardian angel of 
 
 humility. 
 The lifting spirit of the thankful heart? 
 
 Shalt thou not make it goodly clear, 
 'Tis not Endeavor which alone achieves, 
 Save as it aim averts not, but for grace upholds, 
 Crowns true some spirit, would set struggling 
 
 forth, 
 At vast contention and in emulous pride. 
 Yon speechless comment which the Hopes give 
 
 out, 
 For fresh construction of the rigid text, 
 The nice enactment, tho' dispiteous code, 
 Whose leased expression and whose outwaM 
 
 sum 
 Are Nature's equities and ways about? 
 
 Ay, shall thus, fresh copied not, thine image 
 
 shine ; 
 Shalt thou not thus acquit thyself, re-message 
 
 Faith, 
 The act affirm her, and the daily thought. 
 Full-knowing that her life lies there, and only 
 
 hostage unto groping man? 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 7^ 
 
 Shalt thou not thus draw gracious near, 
 
 Till all hearts enfold thee, and, in their rude 
 
 despite, 
 The scoring Fates cry wondering out, 
 "Our worst is done; there is now no more; 
 Our record writes itself, to justice dedicate 
 And happy Good." 
 
 If not — ^alas, misprision and the futile trust ! 
 If not — if Destiny still a boggier stand, 
 Knows Hence from Hither, nor which way 
 
 were best. 
 If yet the rude purveyor. Time, 
 Finds in the vast commission and despatch of 
 
 him. 
 In his prospects and his comings-on. 
 The near or far, unfeatured still that dream of 
 
 thee, 
 No Perfect ever, scarce thy better there, 
 But that blots shall lasting stain it, give it 
 Fresh relief, traduce the glory he had meant 
 Hold forth ; if yet the Vain come worshipped. 
 And the Brute must thrive, more subtly nour- 
 ished, 
 But its breed the same, while the Free, 
 The' of outward credit, wear a golden clog. 
 Pollutes his title, and defaults the heart : 
 
78 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 In few, if Fact be consecrate, the Brain its God, 
 No Faith to hallow, save what Reason hold. 
 Rank-rooting never in no soil but Self, 
 Till Hope, an exile — say she breathe at all — 
 Strangered and out of rights, eats her own 
 
 heart. 
 In weary banishment and quail of man : — 
 If this be so, if that could be — were it better 
 
 not. 
 Thus tricked and thwarted of thy clearer self. 
 This Present, pathless, with worse maze be- 
 fore — 
 Were it better not, white days should cease 
 
 them. 
 And the Stars to roll, invite disruption, and, 
 
 thro' wrack 
 Of things, with leveling Chaos plead afresh 
 
 some chance 
 For nobler being and the worthier life? 
 Or, say, that doubting vastly his at all retrieve. 
 Since still petitioned on crude lines of This, 
 Grudged, narrowed, and beset with voidless 
 
 happenings of the mortal hour: 
 Say that : 
 Hence, judging nothing blessed that he might 
 
 contrive, 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 79 
 
 And, lest things that had been from their 
 
 graves stand forth, 
 Teem their once imperfections, all infirm they 
 
 bore, 
 Yea, on mere vision of the dread event. 
 Cry wildly out against the Call, 
 That, taunting, drew them from Death's per- 
 fect shade. 
 To stalk once more, at dull repeat, 
 Or fevered rush — one goal for both — 
 Their weary paces in some time-bound Here, 
 Its hope unpremised, and no Hence made out : 
 Say that — all that — and, were it better not, 
 
 were it not wise, 
 If yet so judging from what lay at hand, 
 Such guess to go by and provide a cue — 
 Were it better not, were it not well. 
 Might faith not do it, and the sense subscribe, 
 Let it come to this, if words may broach it, 
 May bear out the thought: to this — that man 
 
 call down, 
 Call clamorous down, as only umpire twixt 
 All What and Not; twixt blind Reliance — 
 Her yet remnant there — her fond contention. 
 And the crucial Fact; as sole unraveler 
 Of thick webs of False; for lasting clearance 
 
80 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 Of the perjured Fates, that usurp thin image 
 
 To the trick of True — Call wildly down, 
 
 All hearts clean emptied of their bane, the 
 
 pride — 
 If Miracle knew how ; might holily, not grossly, 
 
 doit- 
 No breather left not, whom the riddance bore 
 Not in its sorry and unhallowed stead — 
 Crude absence presenced, and new light let in — 
 Some sacred, lofty, and prophetic strain. 
 Which so should dare it, and. 
 Which, curb to Fear, did dread no Judgment, 
 Not appealed with this — that each cause that 
 Drew him, and each star that led. 
 Must find him shelter, nay, close-challenged, 
 
 stand 
 His clear accessory before the fact, 
 Like found, in common, with indicted man : — 
 Which so should dare — 
 All this premise yielded, and its case at rest — 
 Call fondly down. 
 While the infinite Mercies, sitting wide 'bove 
 
 All, 
 Did, scruteless Justicers, take up the claim. 
 Which Pain and Sorrow for the world-heart 
 
 draws, 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 81 
 
 And, which, past all precedent, would thus call 
 
 down — 
 Ere Grace pronounce it, ere its fiat fall, 
 Against some boundless Issue, some yet Pure 
 
 toward. 
 Unstained, surely, by gross touch of him, 
 Man's wayward intimate, sore licensed Time, 
 For his purgation and clear suit of all — 
 Would dare call down — ^yea, righteous down — • 
 All breathers joining, of a mind for once, 
 Accord achieved, and a truce at last, 
 No thought so common, nor no wish so near 
 As that this scene be halted, and the long act 
 
 done. 
 Its show a burden, and its flaunt a woe, — 
 Call fondly, wildly, tho' how vainly, down. 
 The long remitted, yet etern withheld, 
 While boundless Loving by great Patience 
 
 sits— 
 Twin-seed and concept of the boweled Rutn, 
 That, sainting, quickens to immaculate God — 
 Would yet call down, call monstrous down, 
 The infinite respited, his aye unushered 
 And unthundered Doom? 
 
82 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 PETER CRONJE. 
 
 Paardeberg, Feb., 1900. 
 
 Unto the templed haunts of her that sits, 
 
 And to acclaim of echoes writes the stirring 
 deeds of men — 
 Each noisy plaudit that reverberate flits 
 
 Across the tablet's white, to never lift its 
 breath again. 
 
 Each solemn impress, too, the burin graves. 
 And clear and fast, to living strokes, the 
 stone-page holds 
 'Gainst his rude blot whose gulf enwaves 
 With sweeping crest all flash and strain of 
 baser moulds. 
 
 To her who wreathes the Days, their laurel 
 twines, 
 Or, decks no brow Fame's love to tell. 
 
 Came wisest Clio, Story's far-recording 
 Muse, 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 83 
 
 A page in hand, whose bitter brief but glowing 
 lines 
 Each trophied shaft, that rose, made prouder 
 swell, 
 Blaze fresh its graphic lore with nobler 
 hues. 
 
 To her,^ — this word on lip: "Build Sister now 
 past shock of Days my latest shrine; 
 Based build it past their dim beseech. 
 Who up thro' Time wan ghost-hands reach. 
 To slur with doubt his fair'st design : 
 Be yare ! The Heavens lo, for tribute pine !" 
 
 And mark, they pact! 'Fore Chancel-bar the 
 
 high vows plight : 
 Ordained the Altar, while uprose through 
 
 flame, 
 Clear-set 'gainst unspent yet and brooding 
 
 night 
 The sweet, wild star — the beacon flash of 
 
 Cronje's name. 
 
84 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 CHRISTIAN DE WET.* 
 
 Fame long took wary note of him, 
 So did proud England, too, who, from his hand, 
 In the blood-red, flowery vintage of her land. 
 Has drained his pledges to their bitter brim. 
 Till, within the fiery cups, well-nigh an Empire 
 
 swim, 
 Staggers for sure foot, wonders at that dizzy 
 
 head. 
 What craze infatuate demons in yon soft spot 
 
 bred, 
 Whence this vile feeling in each once firm limb? 
 
 What worked such odious rouse in one soiree? 
 Made this man loathe her, so defy all fate, 
 That in his eye the price has fallen of all things 
 
 but Hate, 
 Wide Earth, unregioned, where her realms not 
 
 be? 
 Cries here not, summoning, out, like from some 
 
 Fury's song. 
 For 'ts dreadful due, some fierce, intolerable 
 
 Wrong? 
 ♦ For a final estimate of De Wet see pages 101-102. 
 
Boef War Lyri^. «5 
 
 OOM PAUL. 
 
 This is he : the same, who on the warrant of a 
 
 man 
 Stood up, gave Fortune battle; to her bitterest 
 
 face 
 Cried out, "I'll front your minions ere their 
 
 slave-hand trace 
 On free men's backs, in sorry writing as no 
 
 other can. 
 The crooked cypher which smug worldlings 
 
 plan, 
 Expound, to key and color of their lust-fed 
 
 wills. 
 As the all-in-all a tardy Destiny fulfills. 
 By its star, ports safe, 'gainst stress of man. 
 Her, hereto, drifting and unruddered van. 
 
 The same, who had his breeding at their rude 
 
 expense, 
 Whose hardy training, to the pithy core. 
 So took, each fated tutor wonders evermore 
 Who wed such aptness to mere mortal sense. 
 
86 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 In the gross, a bear; broad streak of fox; un- 
 
 saintly, grim; 
 Withal, what Titan's mettle gave its heat to 
 
 him. 
 What Spark re-tempered, that may ne'er grow 
 
 cold, 
 This hero's substance from a peasant's mold ? 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 87 
 
 CECIL RHODES. 
 
 Equipped, who doubts, above Life's common 
 leave. 
 
 Where, privy to her council, mind and will 
 
 Bar lesser men, past plea of question, do fulfill 
 
 The searchless Fates — What did this man 
 achieve 
 
 That Hope should stand deject, should at his 
 parting grieve? 
 
 What bated sum of human ill' 
 
 Files now, along with Wrong, its lessened bill ? 
 
 What brutish yokes less hardened cleave? 
 
 How did he ease them — with what large con- 
 ceive ? 
 
 What forces muster 'gainst the Dark, but their 
 array 
 
 Broke from the leadership of trusting Day, 
 
dS Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 Gave faction life, grew to command. 
 
 And, cozening, won him from the straighter 
 
 way — 
 The same, in whose plain view yon heavens 
 
 stand, 
 Rear wide this word, tho' blurred with Dust, 
 "That truly great must first be just." 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 89 
 
 CHAMBERLAIN. 
 
 Stalk Right, from crafty cover of the Might; 
 
 Commend your passes with the opportune; 
 Expound this lesson, never learnt too soon — 
 
 To rate all vision by the outward sight ; 
 Hold all truth misty, save yon tricksy light, 
 Which fatuous dazzles from the specious 
 star, 
 Where worldly holdings, hedged with mort- 
 gage, are, 
 Each brazen title which still suffered write 
 Such scribes, rude-figured, on the scroll of 
 Fate: 
 All this — and yet, w^ho doubts but they ful- 
 fill, 
 Tho' at sorry single, some more general Will, 
 Hold dumb intelligence with Wisdom's state; 
 That, tho' locked in cypher yet the issue read. 
 Their blatant faction, 'gainst some halcyon 
 date, 
 Works out, affirming, whence they silent speed, 
 
 His Council perfect, with no voice at odds. 
 The boundless findings of all-patient God's ? 
 
90 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 SALISBURY. 
 
 Removed from his sires by long stretch of 
 
 years, 
 Yet so closely virtued, to their wisdom bred, 
 Their bloods long wasted, but which then ran 
 
 red. 
 Their dogged valors, which had now been fears, 
 Are still his coaches and untimely peers, 
 Sit at his board, carve at the ghostly spread, 
 Flout tame the sweeter wine, for which the 
 
 ages bled, 
 And cups paid bitter down in price of tears, 
 As, rising to his call, they quench their eerie 
 
 fast, 
 And toast, in heady measures of a wormy Old, 
 'Gainst newer truths that mock their pledges 
 
 cold, 
 This, their own grim shadow from a weary 
 
 past. 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 91 
 
 And yet, if were their eyes awake, should they 
 
 not grow 
 To keener vision, should a cuter ear 
 Not catch Time's footfall, nor so dare the Law, 
 Which, how so trespass do impugn it here — 
 As if its charter on mere probate ran — 
 Stars yet Time's reaches since his maze began. 
 Illumes the pathway of the utmost sphere : 
 Yon law of Free, within whose widening 
 
 groove. 
 For franker answer 'tward the Life, 'tward 
 
 all- 
 Some response more worthy of the conscious 
 
 soul — 
 God, man, and thing, and Nations move? 
 Ay; should they not w^onder at that slow-to- 
 
 learn will, 
 Heir to large occasions, but to spurn them still ? 
 
92 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 PEACE PENDING. 
 
 Vae Victis ! Nay, what Triumph rings 
 Exultant with that haughty word ? 
 
 To grace its clarion, tempering brings 
 No music of a nobler chord ? 
 
 Twice trophied, not what gentler strain ? 
 
 Which, wiped no blot its honor caught, 
 Would, rank at heart, with flustered brain, 
 
 Still foul the cheer kind victory brought ? 
 
 In the bugle's drown the choral song. 
 
 What strange, deep i otes 'twould auguring 
 breathe ? 
 
 Deck fresh the brow of fated Strong 
 With teemy bud of baser wreath ? 
 
 For, lo, it was a gallant fight ! 
 
 And, tho' ravening Nature still stood up. 
 Pledged fierce, in her own drops, the bleeding 
 Right, 
 
 Nay, bade her drain the chaliced Cup. 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 93 
 
 Tho' unllneal stripped the lineal True, 
 Set low the faith, acclaimed the doubt, 
 
 What witness here but purging threw 
 Its passioned gage, to bear it out, 
 
 That worse than steel or murd'rous flare 
 Of gaping mouth, whose sudden gust 
 
 Flicks out the flame of little life, it were to bear 
 The yoke that galls with rude Unjust ; 
 
 That they slay not half, who merely kill, 
 
 Nor holds within the execution of the sword 
 
 Yon cunning stab which numbs the will, 
 In its drowse lays on the bondsman's cord ; 
 
 That sweet blood spilt in noble cause, 
 
 Somehow, sustaining blends with Heaven's 
 dew. 
 
 So partner'd, for fresh come-up grows. 
 Past choke of False, the larger True ; 
 
 No harvest else come worth its seed. 
 
 Which holds not fast, gives o'er to taunt 
 
 This word — ^not what is bred, but what we 
 breed 
 Foregathered hoard, but what we plant, 
 
94 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 Alone shall lift mid prides that sink, 
 
 To foison come, 'mid thorny steeps of mazy 
 ways. 
 
 Where ruthle s heats far-fated drink, 
 Make nought the sap of lustful days; 
 
 So pledged alone endure, enlarge, 
 
 Make good, withal, some vicared trust. 
 
 Undue to hope yon scruteless charge 
 Whose brief is Time and riddling Dust ; 
 
 So nurtured, rear, while Right unfolds. 
 
 Athwart rude stretch of the perplexing 
 Plan's, 
 
 Some keep, some faith, that sheltering holds. 
 Sets God twice forth, thro' will of Man's. 
 
 Oh, yes, it was a gallant fight. 
 
 In free men's gashes writ on Story's page. 
 Nor, till her sad tome close in utter night, 
 
 And Destiny muse Time's vanished stage. 
 
 Shall hours blank its annaled score. 
 But bear it down t'ward yet to-comes, 
 
 At echoed gleam, set forth yon lore. 
 
 Which word, nor thought, nor heart-heave 
 sums — 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 95 
 
 Yon love of Free, whose far-off fount, 
 
 Which, say it flow through beast and slave, 
 
 Withal, bids man stand up, assert, account 
 Exalt the gift — some Self, some Soul it gra- 
 cious gave ; 
 
 Yon voice of Just, whose auguring sooth 
 Wide-visioned bounds these Nears and Fars, 
 
 While infinite Patience, she, the Truth, 
 Revealed, fulfills her myriad Stars. 
 
96 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 PEACE. 
 
 The gentle word has gone abroad, and on mens' 
 Hps 
 A tremor hangs, a gladness flutters at the 
 kindly sound, 
 As, at fond repeat, with gathered tone, the 
 quaver slips 
 On swelling heart-heaves 'bout the world's 
 round, 
 
 Charms to its strain the aliens 't tongue. 
 
 In yon same music which the high Hopes 
 know, 
 Since, true to wisdom, their brave cheer was 
 sung, 
 Confounding Darkness where the dim 
 Doubts go. 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 97 
 
 And shall heart not heed it, nor its welcome 
 plight ; 
 This cup, not feast it, match its deep propose ? 
 Unpledging riot, shall the brutal Might 
 
 Not own the Fountain whence all fathom 
 draws ? 
 
 Bathe sweet those gashes and the bitter bruise, 
 Shall Strength, not holding of her heavy 
 hand, 
 Unleague all compact, which, to spite the Truce, 
 Made Hell confederate with her blind com- 
 mand: 
 
 Let new days deck her in a nobler wreath, 
 A serener vision lift that groveling brow. 
 
 Duress and rancor, while they bated breathe. 
 Against some Presence where the deep Fates 
 bow. 
 
 And, veiled speakers, with mute lay-on hands 
 Ordain, atoning, while the sky-paths chime. 
 
 In anthems swelling past their starren strands, 
 That ever postulant, sore-vicared Time. 
 
98 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 Why then — shall Hope not speak it, find no 
 moan was lost, 
 She, whose heave of sorrow bade the Des- 
 tinies shrive, 
 Say why her ventures came so sorely tossed, 
 So hard at sea, till Faith did question their 
 at-all arrive? 
 
 Shall Hope not find it — ^how Mistrust was out, 
 Yon fierce old reckoner, whose too absolute 
 course 
 
 And wary checkings by his peer, the Doubt, 
 Still foul the bearings of the archer Source ? 
 
 For, has Peace not spoken ? on men's lips 
 Hangs not a quaver, like some Gladness 
 there. 
 Some soothing spirit, from whose balm-wing 
 slips. 
 Fanned wide, this message, it would brother- 
 ing bear? 
 
 Has Peace not spoken, has the gentle word. 
 Invoking, blessed not the ear again ? 
 
 Has Earth not witnessed, not the Heavens 
 heard, 
 Its joy fall healing on the hearts of men? 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 99 
 
 AFTER. 
 
 On reading Louis Botha's article in the Con- 
 temporary Review for the month of 
 November, 1902. 
 
 How came his right that he should dare, 
 
 He, and his two mates-at-noble-arms, 
 
 To stand erect, and not with bowed heads and 
 
 bare. 
 Beg mites for build-up of their homestead - 
 
 farms. 
 Their hearths which Ravage blacked with sorry 
 
 flame, 
 Their children stricken within pesthouse gates, 
 And all rank glories wherein Empire came, 
 To foist her mission on these latter dates ; 
 Not be lions of the hour, garb their pride 
 In neat devisings at the conqueror's hands; 
 But let their prayer on yon throb go wide 
 Which fellows justice with the far-offs't 
 
 strands ? 
 
 L.ofC. 
 
100 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 O, hearts, whose fires whet the valiant sword; 
 Pushed how to heave the suppHant word! 
 O, guilty act ! and worthy Fortune's frown, 
 That ye should speak, let yet accord 
 This worthy latter with your erst renown! 
 Still trust, stand nobly up, tho' all seem down ! 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 101 
 
 CHRISTIAN DE WET.* 
 
 One year later — on appearance of his "Three 
 
 Years' War," 
 
 No book alone is this, but very life ; 
 
 A throbbing volume with warm blood-beats 
 
 writ, 
 To vouch whose pages did the brave deed sit, 
 His traits tho' lurid with angry strife; 
 
 To blaze whose image did not Freedom first. 
 To her wide symbol, past best trick of art, 
 In quivering flame-strokes, as no imprint 
 durst 
 Trace plain each feature on her mighty heart? 
 Nay, in her fierce love, so drew them, that to 
 mortal sight 
 They took on the lineaments of horrid hate. 
 
 What were but flashes of her beaconed light, 
 The fervent visions of large things that wait ; 
 * A sequel to lines on page 84. 
 
102 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 For this man did lt>ve her for no worldly 
 store, 
 Might never derogate with venal breath 
 
 The divine injunction which her message 
 bore 
 To voice her biddings, yea, 'gainst grappling 
 Death. 
 
 And, when such manhood cries you, "peace," 
 "no more," 
 
 Shall not his foeman reach a brother's hand, 
 Such day not with a double lustre pour 
 
 Its countenance o'er the darkened land ? 
 
 Shall Love not smile and understand ? 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 103 
 
 SINE DIE. 
 
 Full zodiacs three the fiery sun, 
 Thro' maze of stars, his web has spun, 
 Since War's late grimy page begun 
 To blaze its line — the bloody hand 
 Whose lurid strokes bade Peace to stand. 
 
 And, World-heart, O, what hast thou won? 
 
 And, is the sad act past and done ? 
 
 Or, does its score, sunk wide and deep. 
 
 In some blind hell fierce-copied keep, 
 
 For Days, which, tho' their loath pace creep. 
 
 Oft span with strides each reckoned Far; 
 
 For such — for Broil's rude, loud, and noted 
 
 star 
 To trace once more upon the Light 
 Yon awful cypher of the Night? 
 
104 Boer War Lyrics. 
 
 A CONCORDANCE. 
 
 The Dawn that 'woke this train of songs — 
 
 each simple lay — 
 The lowering, then, and stirring hours, 
 Have 'cross those dim fields passed away, 
 Where History, gathering ghostly flowers, 
 Erst flush with life, now chill and gray, 
 Would b'ind them fair, their story tell. 
 The silent bloom Death loves so well ; 
 Nay, haply show, how from their seed. 
 What large effects may leveling breed. 
 
 That Dawn has sped — trite Day knows all; 
 
 The roistering winds that ravening blew 
 
 Have ceased their brawls 
 
 Mad sport that drew 
 
 War's winged hounds, and harpies flew, 
 
 Fanned foul the airs and thicked their breath, 
 
 Each heave at bouts with throttling Death. 
 
Boer War Lyrics. 105 
 
 While from the din there rose, I thought. 
 
 Brave strains of man no fear might toss : 
 
 If, echoing these, a few I wrought 
 
 Into rude posies, strove to cross 
 
 Their wildness with the rose of art, — 
 
 Ah ! they were such sHps as throws the heart. 
 
 Grafts tongue on thought ; here grew to breathe 
 Those clear-felt notes not theirs to choose. 
 Which, humbly, while their love did wreathe 
 A passioned chaplet for the Muse; 
 Did they, to match her large faith there. 
 To vie the crown she auguring bear. 
 Not weave as well, to extol her sooth, 
 A sister garland for the Truth? 
 
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