MWIMIMII Class _. 2Jl Book. GopyriglitlSI?_ CCHfRIGRT DEPOSIT THE VISION SPLENDID VERSE FOR THE TIMES AND THE TIMES TO COME THE VISION SPLENDID BY JOHN OXENHAM AUTHOR OF "ALL'S WELL!" "BEES IN AMBER," ETC. NEW YORK GEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY • a\1 COPYRIGHT, 191 7, BY GEORGE E. DORAN COMPANY MAY 19 1917 PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OP AMERICA 7070 \ 9 TO ALL THOSE WHO ARE LOOKING FORWARD WITH EARNEST EXPECTATION AND STEADFAST DETERMINATION TO THE EMERGENCE FROM THIS PRESENT CHAOS OF A COSMOS WORTHY OF GOD AND HUMANITY IN THIS TWENTIETH CENTURY OF THE CHRISTIAN ERA I DEDICATE THIS LITTLE BOOK IN CONFIDENT HOPE. FOREWORD FOREWORD Is the outcome of this latest world tragedy to be loss or gain? Under God, it rests with ourselves. The greatest world tragedy of all ended on the Cross in what, to the men of those days, seemed absolute loss; but that apparent loss has become life's greatest gain. So far, the world's loss in material things in this war does not bear brooding upon. But even therein the apparent loss is not all loss. Our men, we know, are not lost, except for a brief space to us who are left. To themselves, the gain of their translation is good to think upon. The minor loss, in treasure of all kinds, may prove gain if it bring us perforce to simpler living. And — the soul of the world has been shocked at last into true understanding of the inevitable and dire results of purely materialistic aims. It has seen the soul of a great nation deliberately self-poisoned at the fount by the worship of a false ideal. The one great loss to the world so far is the loss of the German soul. Time, and the will thereto, may repair even that. [vii] FOREWORD But, in certain directions, we are, most of us, conscious of some gain. The heroism of our men has been rivalled by the heroic endurance with which those at home have borne their losses. It is wonderful. It is magnificent. Bruised and broken hearts are nearer and dearer to God than self-sufficient and self-satisfied ones. We have, most of us, felt ourselves, as never before, in the hands of God. And that is undoubted good. Amid all the horrors and con- fusions of these terrible times, the soul of life is groping back to the elementals and fundamentals as the only truly stable things left. Much that we held essential has vanished in the fiery furnace. But, in the old story, it was in the fiery furnace that the Son of God was discovered walking with the captives; — and the bonds which had bound them had disappeared in the flames and they were free men. God grant that that analogy hold true, and that we come forth from this fur- nace of affliction freed of our bonds and walking visibly, like them, with the Son of God ! If that be ours, then the New Life after the wan will be regulated on the broad basis of the best for each and all, and all the forces of reaction which strive against that will have to go. Right will rule. [viii] FOREWORD If this fierce flame free us from the ruinous wastage of drink, — from the cancer of immorality, — from the shame of our housing-systems both in town and country, — and bring about a fairer ap- portionment of the necessaries of life, — a living wage to all workers, leisure to enjoy, and oppor- tunities to possess and progress, — it will have done much. If it level the dividing-walls, and re- sult in a Pact of Nations which will ensure Peace for all time, it will have done very much. If it bring the world back to God, it will have done everything. This, our great sacrifice, will then be turned to everlasting gain. The wheels of Life were skidding on the greasy ways of wealth and ease. We were leaving God out. This from which we are suffering is of our own incurring. God's Law is Right, — right-doing, — Righteous- ness. Who breaks — pays, in this as in all other laws, but most inevitably in this. We broke, — in permitting amongst us and elsewhere, without pro- test, that which made for evil. We are paying. It is not punishment, but the simple righteous working of Inviolable Law. And now, — having paid, in blood and tears and bitterness of woe, — now, with the spirit of God in [ix] FOREWORD us, with enlightened souls and widened hearts, we may look forward to The Vision Splendid of a new-made world. Not only may, — we must. Every act is the fruit of a thought. If we do not think good we cannot act good. If we do not think deeply now on that to which we hope to attain we shall not be ready to act good when the time comes,- — the at- tainment may be delayed and discounted. So — to The Vision Splendid of a world in which God and Right shall reign supreme, — and may we all live to see it realized! W CONTENTS CONTENTS PAGE Foreword vii The Vision Splendid Mors Janua Vitae The Victorious Cross . Joined Up Thus Saith the Lord . Angels? — Why Not? . A New Earth .... The Churches .... What Did You See Out There, My Lad? ..... Where Are You Going, Great-Heart? Carry On !..... The Cross-Roads .... The Call of the Dead Jewels On Eagles' Wings Searchlights . . . A Little Te Deum of Renewals After the Storm .... The Valley of Decision The Goal and the Way [xi] 17 19 20 22 25 27 28 3° 3i 33 36 38 40 42 43 45 46 48 50 5i CONTENTS PAGE Through the Valley . • 53 Visions 5S His Latch-Key 56 Comfort Ye ! . 59 Sweet Lavender . 62 Atonement .... 66 Moor Maiden 67 Sanctuary .... 69 In the Master's Garden 7i God's Sunshine 73 Love Ever Gives . 74 Little Brown Sister 75 The Ballad of Jim Baxter . 77 The Outer Guard . 85 You Also .... . 87 Our Wounded ■ 89 Prisoners of War . . 91 "Come at Once!" . . 92 "De Mortuis Nil" . 94 One Mother • 95 The Meeting-Place . 97 Some Blesseds . 99 The Sacrament of Food 102 At — One — Ment . . 103 Kitchener . . . 105 Promoted . 108 [xii] CONTENTS Edith Cavell .... PAGE III Good Only • 113 Germania! 114 Right and Rights • 117 The Father-Motherhood . Il8 God-Sense! . II9 Debtor and Creditor Am I . 120 Inspiration — Perspiration . 123 In the Beginning . 124 A Little Word 127 Show Pity, Lord ! 128 Squaring Up 130 The Purge of the Flame 132 The Truth Shall Set You Free . 133 There Is No Death . 134 The Leaves of the Golden Book 135 And Thou? 137 Yesterday — To-day — To-morrow . 139 St. Anthony and Cobbler John . 142 Paul and Agrippa . 144 Kinsfolk I46 The Children 147 Be Strong ! 149 To Win the World . I50 [xiii] THE VISION SPLENDID The Vision of a world redeemed from sin, Where Christ has first cast out then entered in, He died upon the Cross — for you and me, And you have died to crown His Sovereignty. For us He died, — For you and me; For us they died, — For you and me. That love so great be justified, And that Thy Name be magnified, Grant, Lord, that we Full worthy be Of these — our loved, — our crucified ! THE VISION SPLENDID THE VISION SPLENDID Here — or hereafter— you shall see it ended, This mighty work to which your souls are set; If from beyond — then, with the vision splendid, You shall smile back and never know regret. Be this your vision! — through you, Life trans- figured, Uplift, redeemed from its forlorn estate, Purged of the stains which once its soul disfigured, Healed and restored, and wholly consecrate. Christ's own rich blood, for healing of the nations, Poured through his heart the message of reprieve; God's holy martyrs built on His foundations, Built with their lives and died that Life might live. Now, in their train, your blood shall bring like healing; You, like the Saints, have freely given your all, And your high deaths, God's purposes revealing, Sound through the earth His mighty Clarion Call. Verse I. is from "Christ All" in "All's Well!" [17] THE VISION SPLENDID THE VISION SPLENDID (continued) O, not in vain has been your great endeavour; For, by your dyings, Life is born again, And greater love hath no man tokened ever, Than with his life to purchase Life's high gain. [18] THE VISION SPLENDID MORS JANUA VITJE Here, we have life, Through your most valiant deaths out there; There, you have life, Through your most valiant deaths out there; For life so nobly given, — Thy strife so nobly striven, Grant them Thy heaven, — New Life, O Lord, — Thy meet reward For those most valiant deaths out there! [19] THE VISION SPLENDID THE VICTORIOUS CROSS The Cross still stands for Right Against ungodly Might; God's Love is that Eternal Light That shines for ever, Failing never, In the darkest night. Though worlds in ruin lie, Though man despairing die, Though earth doth still Christ crucify,- The Cross stands ever, Failing never, Love to glorify. Unchanged from what it meant To that first penitent, — Symbol of Love Omnipotent, — i The Cross stands ever, Failing never, Of His Great Intent. [20] THE VISION SPLENDID THE VICTORIOUS CROSS (continued) God's Love to testify, Man's faith to justify, All life and death to dignify, — * The Cross stands ever, Failing never, Of its sovereignty. God's Love hung on The Tree; Christ died — for you and me; Christ rose again — for you — and me ;- So — Love lives ever, Failing never, Through eternity. [21] THE VISION SPLENDID JOINED UP There is gathering in the heavens an innumerable host Of the valiant and the noble ones who count the world well lost, The Lord of Hosts had need of them for the work He has on hand, Now, like the stars for multitude, they wait His high command. Every race and every nation, every land beneath the sun Has helped to swell that great array, but all in Him are one; For the things that made for hatreds, and the things that made for wrath, Fell from them as they passed The Gate and pledged their new God-troth. He is ranging, He is sorting them, He is moulding to His Will Those wondrous divers elements so that each his place may fill; [22] THE VISION SPLENDID JOINED UP (continued) The Lord of Life His Kingdom claims, His ban- ner is unfurled, He is marshalling His forces for the conquest of the world. The Captain of that mighty host is robed in stain- less white, In His hand the Spear of Justice, and the sword of Truth and Right, He wears as crown a platted thorn, — the kingliest crown e'er worn, And blazoned on His banner is the glorious Cross of Scorn. All the dear ones we have lost are in that host beyond compare, He has called them to His battle that they may His Triumph share ; And no man there but glories in the gain we count but loss, — For they proudly follow Him who vanquished Death upon the Cross. [23] THE VISION SPLENDID JOINED UP (continued) And the hearts of men are stirring now; they feel His Presence near; His clarion-call has thrilled the world with its challenge loud and clear; By the dim High Way of sorrow, and the clean reluctant sword, The Soul of Life is answering the summons of its Lord. [24] THE VISION SPLENDID THUS SAITH THE LORD! THUS SAITH THE LORD— Ye were become as dead dry bones Wherein there was no life. Yea, as the dead, and poorer than the dead, In that ye lived yet had no life. For Life that lives unto itself is Death, And without ME nought IS. Turn ye ! Turn ye ! Turn ye now to ME again ! Cleanse you and make you clean ! Seek ye My face ! Walk in My ways ! Deal justly! Walk uprightly ! Seek out the things that make for peace ! Live unto ME and no more to yourselves, And I will come again and dwell with you, And ye — shall — live ! Turn now to ME, And I will breathe upon these dead dry bones [25] THE VISION SPLENDID THUS SAITH THE LORD! (continued) That they shall live. Bone to his bone will I bring them, With sinews afresh will I knit them, With flesh and with skin will I clothe them, And into them will breathe again The Breath of Life, That they shall live. Turn ye ! Turn ye ! Turn ye now to ME again, And I will give to you New Soul of Life, AND— YE— SHALL— LIVE ! Amen! Amen! So be it with us, Lord! [26] THE VISION SPLENDID ANGELS?— WHY NOT? Were there angels at Mons? Why not ? There are angels everywhere ; An we were fitter to receive We might more possibly perceive Them in the way. Has He not charged them to upbear Our stumbling footsteps, and with care To help us when we stray? Perchance, in that sore strain and stress, Men's eyes were opened in the face Of Death that they saw God, — and hidden things, — And visions of His angels' wings. Why not? God's arm still puissant is to smite; — Why should it not, once more, Have flamed, and struck like levin-light, For Freedom, Justice, Truth, and Right, As in the days of yore? [27] THE VISION SPLENDID A NEW EARTH God grant us wisdom in these coming days, And eyes unsealed, that we clear visions see Of that new world that He would have us build, To Life's ennoblement and His high ministry. God give us sense, — God-sense of Life's new needs, And souls aflame with new-born chivalries — To cope with those black growths that foul the ways, — > To cleanse our poisoned founts with God-born energies. To pledge our souls to nobler, loftier life, To win the world to His fair sanctities, To bind the nations in a Pact of Peace, And free the Soul of Life for finer loyalties. Not since Christ died upon His lonely cross Has Time such prospect held of Life's new birth; Not since the world of chaos first was born Has man so clearly visaged hope of a new earth. [28] THE VISION SPLENDID A NEW EARTH (continued) Not of our own might can we hope to rise Above the ruts and soilures of the past, But, with His help who did the first earth build, With hearts courageous we may fairer build this last. [29] THE VISION SPLENDID THE CHURCHES Two, in the darkness, sought the Cross, But in their blindness found it not; This way and that, in dole and loss, They sought the Cross but found it not. "This way/" — the one insistent cried; "Nay, this/" — the other quick replied; And each the other's hope denied. "/ tell you, my way is the right/" "Nay then, you stumbler in the night, My way alone leads to the light/" "Perverse! — Go then your own wrong road!" "I go/ — for my way leads to God" And each his own way brusquely strode. And up above, upon The Tree, Christ's wounds broke in fresh agony. [30] THE VISION SPLENDID WHAT DID YOU SEE OUT THERE, MY LAD? What did you see out there, my lad, That has set that look in your eyes? You went out a boy, you have come back a man, With strange new depths underneath your tan; What was it you saw out there, my lad, That set such deeps in your eyes? "Strange things, — and sad, — and wonderful, — Things that I scarce can tell, — I have been in the sweep of the Reaper's scythe, — With God, — and Christ, — and hell. "I have seen Christ doing Christly deeds; I have seen the devil at play; I have grimped to the sod in the hand of God; I have seen the God-less pray. "I have seen Death blast out suddenly From a clear blue summer sky; I have slain like Cain with a blazing brain; I have heard the wounded cry. [31] THE VISION SPLENDID WHAT DID YOU SEE OUT THERE, MY LAD? (continued) "I have lain alone among the dead, With no hope but to die; I have seen them killing the wounded ones ; I have seen them crucify. "I have seen the Devil in petticoats Wiling the souls of men; I have seen great sinners do great deeds And turn to their sins again. "I have sped through hells of fiery hail, With fell red-fury shod ; I have heard the whisper of a voice ; I have looked in the face of God." You've a right to your deep, high look, my lad, You have met God in the ways; And no man looks into His face But he feels it all his days. You've a right to your deep, high look, my lad, And we thank Him for His grace. [32] THE VISION SPLENDID WHERE ARE YOU GOING, GREAT- HEART? Where are you going, Great-Heart, With your eager face and your fiery grace? — Where are you going, Great-Heart? "To fight a fight with all my might, For Truth and Justice, God and Right, To grace all Life with His fair Light." Then God go with you, Great-Heart! » Where are you going, Great-Heart? "To beard the Devil in his den; To smite him with the strength of ten ; To set at large the souls of men." Then God go with you, Great-Heart! Where are you going, Great-Heart? "To end the rule of knavery; To break the yoke of slavery; To give the world delivery." Then God go with you, Great-Heart! [33] THE VISION SPLENDID WHERE ARE YOU GOING, GREAT-HEART? (continued) Where are you going, Great-Heart? "To hurl high-stationed evil down; To set the Cross above the crown; To spread abroad My King's renown." Then God go with you, Great-Heart! Where are you going, Great-Heart? "To cleanse the earth of noisome things; To draw from life its poison-stings; To give free play to Freedom's wings." Then God go with you, Great-Heart! Where are you going, Great-Heart? "To lift To-day above the Past; To make To-morrow sure and fast; To nail God's colours to the mast." Then God go with you, Great-Heart! Where are you going, Great-Heart? "To break down old dividing-lines; To carry out My Lord's designs; To build again His broken shrines." Then God go with you, Great-Heart! [34] THE VISION SPLENDID WHERE ARE YOU GOING, GREAT-HEART? (continued) Where are you going, Great-Heart? "To set all burdened peoples free; To win for all God's liberty; To 'stablish His Sweet Sovereignty." God goeth with you, Great-Heart! (After Lammenais.) [35] THE VISION SPLENDID CARRY ON! "Carry on, Brave Hearts! Carry on!" — •> Rings, like a clarion cry, Our heart-felt valedictory, To cheer you on to victory; — "Carry on, Brave Hearts! Carry on!" Now bear you well, and bear you high, Who fights for God to God draws nigh, And wins him immortality; — "Carry on, Brave Hearts! Carry on!" The night is past, day dawns at last; — "Carry on, Brave Hearts! Carry on!" The way is clear, the goal is near; — "Carry on, Brave Hearts! Carry on!" God's Best awaits beyond these straits; — "Carry on, Brave Hearts! Carry on!" For Peace on Earth is at the birth ; — ■ "Carry on, Brave Hearts! Carry on!" [36] THE VISION SPLENDID CARRY ON! (continued) The fateful day is all your own, The Evil Thing is overthrown, The mighty victory is won; — "Carry on, Brave Hearts! Carry on!" Your might shall set Christ on His Throne, And His sweet grace in full atone For all that you have undergone ; — "Carry on, Brave Hearts! Carry on!" [37] THE VISION SPLENDID THE CROSS-ROADS Together we lay in the trenches, Together we held the foe, Together we sped across No Man's Land And laid the Alleman low. And, now that the fighting is over, Shall we take opposing roads? — You to the joys of the Primrose Path, We to the gall of the goads? If so — there's a struggle before us, And the end of it none can tell. With you lies the mighty decision, — > Shall it be heaven or hell? If we work as we did in the trenches, — When no man's life was his own, But each man strove for the good of all, And worked till the work was done, — [38] THE VISION SPLENDID THE CROSS-ROADS (continued) We can make this Britain of ours The happiest land on earth, Where all men strive for the good of all, And none shall suffer dearth. We are here at the cross-roads — waiting; We claim of our right fair-play; Shall we work as we did in the trenches, Or win by the rough red way? [39] THE VISION SPLENDID THE CALL OF THE DEAD Do you hear a deep voice calling? — Calling persistently? — Like the sound of God's great waters, — Calling insistently? 'Tis the voice of our dead, our myriad dead, Calling to you and me; — "By the red deaths we have suffered, By the fiery paths we trod, By the lives we gave All Life to save, — We call you back to God. "We call you from your trifling With the petty things of life ; We cry aloud for a new world vowed To a world-redeeming strife. "We call you to cut the cankers That have grown around your growth; We call you from by-ways to High Ways, And the pledge of a new God-troth. [40] THE VISION SPLENDID THE CALL OF THE DEAD (continued) "We call you to His high service; You have followed other gods ; Their baneful ways brought the evil days, And loosed the grim red floods. "On your knees, on your knees, seek pardon For the wrongs that have been done ! — ■ For the perverse wills, and the active ills, And the high things left undone ! "One way there is, — one only, Whereby ye may stand sure ; One way by which ye may withstand All foes, and Life's High Ways command, And make your building sure. — Take God once more as Counsellor, Work with Him, hand in hand, Build surely, in His Grace and Power, The nobler things that shall endure, And, having done all,— STAND!" [41] THE VISION SPLENDID JEWELS Jewels of worth from Mother Earth You may win and mightily prize, — Emeralds, rubies, diamonds, all Endowed with virtues symbolical, And amethysts purpureal, Opal, and turquoise, and sapphire blue, Onyx, and beryl, and jacinth too, — You may win them all and mightily prize, But fairer to me are a baby's eyes, Profound and sweet as the summer skies, And litten still with the sanctities Of the Love that lights up Paradise. T42] THE VISION SPLENDID ON EAGLES' WINGS (To the White Knights of the Air Ser- vices.) Supremely in His Hand are you, To whom the mighty joy is given On eagles' wings to climb the blue, And, on the pinions of the winds, To sweep the boundless plains of heaven. So — to your minds Be present this, For cheer in your necessities, — Who swings the countless spheres in space, Yet to their even courses holds; Who set the firmament in place And its infinitudes unfolds, — Come what come may of hap or chance, He is your sure deliverance. If but as Pilot by your side He sits, upon Whose breath you ride, [43] THE VISION SPLENDID ON EAGLES' WINGS (continued) He shall preserve you from alarms, Spread wide His everlasting arms, And bear you safely up on high In His most noble company. No sparrow falls but it is known Of Him who sits on Heaven's high throne; And you, in your supremest hour, Shall feel the uplift of His power, And know you not alone. Alone? Alone? None is alone ! For where is one, There He is too. — No man goeth alone ! Higher than most, to you is given To live — or in His time, to die; So, bear you as White Knights of Heaven — The very flower of chivalry! Take Him as Pilot by your side, And "All is Well!" whate'er betide. [44] THE VISION SPLENDID SEARCHLIGHTS The searchlights sweep the sombre skies,- Slow-wheeling, — focussed here and there, To catch the lurking treacheries Within their wide-flung whirling snare; And when they find the hidden foe The eager hunters lay him low. God's mightier beams are searching out The Soul of Life and lighting it, That His fair hosts may put to rout The foes that have been blighting it; Sweep clean, O Lord, and beautify, And come Thou in and occupy ! [45] THE VISION SPLENDID A LITTLE TE DEUM OF RENEWALS For Thy sweet sunshine after nights of rain; For Thy sweet balm of comfort after pain; For Thy sweet peace that ends a long-drawn strife ; For Thy sweet rest that ends a burdened life; For joy, dispersing sorrows as the sun Sucks up the morning mists, and as Thy winds Dispel the clouds and show the blue again, — The deep, pure, tenuous, heavenly blue that seems, In its infinity of tenderness, Like to Thy Love, that fills all time and space With Thy sweet Spirit's all-abounding grace; For all Thy healing ministries, — We thank Thee, Lord. For hearts estranged, won back to fellowship, And closer knit by sweet forgivenesses ; For hearts made tenderer by fortune's blows; For souls by sorrows ripened in Thy love; Yea, and for pain that took our pride away, And cast us wholly on Thy charity; For darkened ways that led us to the Light, [46] THE VISION SPLENDID A LITTLE TE DEUM OF RENEWALS (con- tinued) For blinding tears that yet renewed our sight; For travails and perplexities of mind Through which we wrestled, nobler life to find, — And found, beyond our craving souls' upreach, The wonder of the lessons Thou wouldst teach; For dear lives salvaged from the hand of Death; For pure souls' fiery purgings without scathe; For answered prayers that showed Thy boundless love ;, For prayers unanswered, wiser love to prove; For all Thy leadings through life's devious ways, With faith illumined and high heart of grace; — > We thank Thee, Lord. [47] THE VISION SPLENDID AFTER THE STORM After the storm — Thy calm, — After the earthquake, wind, and fire, — The still, small voice, Which yet doth pierce the marrow of our hearts And makes our souls rejoice. The whirlwind racked our Mounts of Selfish Ease ; — Thy Hand was in it, but we did not see. The earthquake shook our proud-built but- tresses ; — Thy Hand was in it, but we could not see. The fire devoured our bravest and our best; — Thy Hand was in it, but we would not see. But now . . . Thy ways are manifest, And, dimly, Lord, we see. Wrapped in the mantle of our sorrows, now Before Thee in the cavern's mouth we stand; Behind us, — all Thy mysteries of woe ; Before us, — visions of Thy Promised Land. [48] THE VISION SPLENDID AFTER THE STORM (continued) A land swept clean by earthquake, storm, and fire, — A land wherein Thy Spirit may rejoice, Where Faith and Hope, with Love enthroned, conspire To build Thy Kingdom of the still, small voice. That still, small voice that yet proclaims Thy will, Above the thunders of the battle-plain, That bids man his high destiny fulfil, And rise, and reap in full Thy golden grain. Thou hast made chaos of our old content, Purged us with fire, and winnowed us with woe; We were forgetting that Thy gifts are meant Only to wean us from the things below. Yea, we forgot that all life's joys are sent, Not as an end, but of Thy favour lent For our poor natures' sweet encouragement, And for our souls' most high ennoblement. Help us to purge us of those lower things, Which, growing, brought this world-catastrophe ! Help us to build, of these our sufferings, Temples of Grace all dedicate to Thee ! [49] THE VISION SPLENDID THE VALLEY OF DECISION The World is in the Valley of Decision; It is standing at the parting of the ways; Will it climb the Steps of God to realms elysian, — Or fall on horror of still darker days? Will it free itself from every shameful shackle? Will it claim the glorious freedom of the brave? Will it lose the soul of Life in this debacle, And sink into a mean dishonoured grave? All the world is in the Valley of Decision, And out of it there is but one sure road; Eyes unsealed can still foresee the mighty vision Of a world in travail turning unto God. All the world is in the Valley of Decision. Who shall dare its future destiny foretell? Will it yield its soul unto the Heavenly Vision, Or sink despairing into its own hell? [50] THE VISION SPLENDID THE GOAL AND THE WAY The future lies With those whose eyes Are wide to the necessities, And wider still With fervent will, To all the possibilities. Times big with fate Our wills await, If we be ripe to occupy; If we be bold To seize and hold This new-born soul of liberty. And every man Not only can, But must the great occasion seize. Never again Will he attain Such wondrous opportunities. [51] THE VISION SPLENDID THE GOAL AND THE WAY (continued) Be strong! Be true! Claim your soul's due ! Let no man rob you of the prize ! The goal is near, The way is clear, Who falters now shames God, and dies. [52] THE VISION SPLENDID THROUGH THE VALLEY As I walk through the Valley of Shadows No evil do I fear, The Staff of Thy Love doth comfort me, Thy Rod itself hath cheer; For they guide me with care to the pastures fair Where the living waters flow, Where the shadows give place to the Sun of Thy grace And Thy Passion-Flowers grow. So I come through the Valley of Shadows; It was very drear and dark, For Death had been reaping his harvest there And had left it bare and stark. But the shadowy way climbs up to the day, And I press on with heart elate, For the end of my quest is the shining crest, And a wide-flung Open Gate. And One hath a sumptuous table spread, Inside the Open Gate, And there, with welcoming hands and face, [53] THE VISION SPLENDID THROUGH THE VALLEY (continued) My coming He doth wait. And His greeting sweet doth my joy complete, As He draws me in to rest, For I know that the road I so wearily trod Is the way His Love dreamed best. And there, of His radiant company, Full many a one I see, Who has won through the Valley of Shadows To the larger liberty. Even there, in the grace of the heavenly place, It is joy to meet mine own, And to know that not one but has valiantly won By the way of the Cross, his crown. [54] THE VISION SPLENDID VISIONS Thank God for Vision of the brighter day, That dawns at last beyond this rough red way! New life is there for those who dare, — A life that all these sufferings shall repay; — A life set free from all the grosser things That warped our souls and bound the Spirit's wings, — An entrance fair to larger air, And certitude of nobler prosperings. Only have vision and bold enterprise ! No task too great for men of unsealed eyes; The Future stands with outstretched hands, Press on and claim its high supremacies ! [55] THE VISION SPLENDID HIS LATCH-KEY '("/ am sending you all my keys except the latch. That I will keep, so that some day, when I get leave, I may walk in on you unexpectedly and give you a surprise." — In a letter from the Front.) And long . . . long . . . long we waited For the sound that would tell he was here, For the sound that would tell us our vigil was o'er, And our hearts need be anxious no more, — For that sweetest of sounds that could fall on the ear Of those who had lived on the knife-edge of fear, — The sound of his key in the door; — The sound of all sounds that could bring back life's cheer, And comfort our hearts that were sore. O the ears of our souls strained as never before, For that sound of all sounds that our joy would restore, — The sound of his key in the door. [56] THE VISION SPLENDID HIS LATCH-KEY (continued) And we said, "We shall know when our boy's on the way." And we said, "We shall know when he's near. His step we shall catch while it's still far away, And with it an end to our fear." "But," we said, — "we will wait for his key in the door, For the sound that shall tell us our waiting is o'er, — For the joy of its rattle, so gallant and gay, As we've heard it so often of yore. O yes, we shall know ere he reaches the door, For his guardian angel will fly on before To tell us he's on the way." And so we waited, by night and by day, For the sound that would all our long waiting repay, — For the sound of his key in the door. But now, — Well .... "All's Well!" .... but we're waiting no more For the sound of his key in the door. It lies with him there in his lowly grave, [57] THE VISION SPLENDID HIS LATCH-KEY (continued) Out there at the Front, where his all he gave Our lives and the Soul of Life to save, And our hopeful vigil is o'er. For now it is he who is waiting for us, On the other side of The Door; And Another stands with him there, waiting for us, And the sound of our key in That Door. [58] THE VISION SPLENDID COMFORT YE! I. In that sweet after-life, When time is done, And loving hearts again are one In perfect union, You shall look back and say, — > "And did I mourn that he Passed on in front of me By just one day? The time indeed seemed long to me, And hushed my song in misery; But, in the light of this eternity, 'Twas but a span, — just a short winter's day,- Soon past, And by these present joys far overpassed." II. I see their shining eyes, Their glad and eager faces Waiting to welcome us To the heavenly places. [59] THE VISION SPLENDID COMFORT YE! (continued) And how shall we complain Of our own loss and pain, When unto them we know the change Is all eternal gain? III. Ah — how we miss him — Every hour of every day! Life, since he went, has been a grey Dull way, wherein we stray Neighboured with grief, and blinded with dismay. Never to see him more ! — To hear his voice ! — to see his face again ! Lord, it is sore beyond our ken, — How shall our hearts endure Discomfiture so great and such vast forfeiture? And yet, our faith dare not gainsay Thy love in taking him away. Such good is his, such perfect bliss, How could we wish him back in this Small world of grim perplexities? [CO] THE VISION SPLENDID COMFORT YE! (continued) And, of a truth, at times he feels so near,- Nearer in very deed Than when we' had him here, — That we are comforted. We cast despair and put away our fear. We shall not see him here again; To us he may not come ; But when at last we shall attain The heavenly place, be his dear face The first to greet us in Thy grace And bid us "Welcome Home 1" [61] THE VISION SPLENDID SWEET LAVENDER The pains of hell had gotten hold of him; He longed for death. Dim were his eyes, feeble his pulse, and grim His laboured breath. His nurses' hearts were wrung with woe for him, So sore his plight; His cup of anguish trembled to the brim Without respite. Sleep came not near to succour him. All day He longed for night; And through the dim night-watches still he lay Craving the light. "He cannot stand it long," they said. And yet He did not die. And each new thing they tried seemed but to whet His agony. [62] THE VISION SPLENDID SWEET LAVENDER (continued) "Unless he sleeps, he dies." .... The sands ran low, But nought availed To check the on-come of the ruthless foe, — •- Pain still prevailed. Then one, in pity, on his pillow laid A tiny bag Of lavender, the simplest thing, — rough-made Of silken rag. Pale blue it was, like the Madonna's gown, — Or English skies In Springtime, when the sweet bright days en- throne Life's ecstasies. 'What's that?" — the sufferer groaned, and sensed its sweet With eagerness. "Sweet lavender from home," .... and the word beat Through his distress. [63] THE VISION SPLENDID SWEET LAVENDER (continued) Sweet lavender from home! it wafted him Across the seas, — He saw the path, the stile, the stream abrim, The sunlit trees, — Where he and one had wandered, heart to heart, — Wedded that day, — With four days more before they two must part, — He to the fray. And she had pelted him with lavender's Sweet budding sprays, And like to heaven had been his love and hers Those five full days. He smiled, through all the torment of his pain, — And then, he slept; And all the ward, to salvage such great gain, On tip-toe crept. They know not whom to thank for that sweet grace ; — Their hearts go out [64] THE VISION SPLENDID SWEET LAVENDER (continued) To you, — and you, — in gratitude, in case 'Twas your good thought. That tiny silken bag they hold, you see, Beyond all price, For, under God, three lives it saved, maybe For Paradise. [65] THE VISION SPLENDID ATONEMENT At one with Thee! — Earth's cares are gone. What matters else, With Thee at one? [66] THE VISION SPLENDID MOOR-MAIDEN No sweeter maid e'er trod the moor, No saint more fitly shrined; She loves the little things of God, And knows His larger mind; She passes through the outer wards And sees the things behind. She is a Queen, of hearts and souls, Her kingdom has no ends ; And when the troubled seek her help Their wounds she gently tends. And never a soul but she makes whole, Because she comprehends. There, from her amethystine throne, She quietly surveys The doings of the outer world, And muses on its ways ; And when things get beyond her ken She to her knees and prays. [67] THE VISION SPLENDID MOOR-MAIDEN (continued) And prayer with her is powerful, And so doth much avail. Before the Lord she pours her soul In commune mystical; And, since her life is given to Him She with Him doth prevail. [68] THE VISION SPLENDID SANCTUARY 'Mid all the traffic of the ways, — Turmoils without, within, — Make in my heart a quiet place, And come and dwell therein ! — A little shrine of quietness, All sacred to Thyself, Where Thou shalt all my soul possess, And I may find myself; — A little shelter from Life's stress, Where I may lay me prone, And bare my soul in lowliness, And know as I am known; — A solitude where I can think, A haven of retreat, Where of Thy Red Wine I may drink, And of Thy White Bread eat; [69] THE VISION SPLENDID SANCTUARY (continued) — A little silent sacred place, Where we may commune hold; Where Thy White Love shall me embrace And from the world enfold; — A little place of mystic grace, Of self and sin swept bare, Where I may look into Thy face, And talk with Thee in prayer. Come ! — occupy my silent place, And make Thy dwelling there ! More grace is wrought in quietness Than any is aware. [70] THE VISION SPLENDID IN THE MASTER'S GARDEN The Master walked in His garden, Among the growing flowers, And the drooping ones and the thirsty He cheered with cooling showers ! And here and there He checked a growth With His loving pruning-knife, That the plant more graciously might grow, And have a richer life. And as He slowly passed along, The beauty-growths He scanned, And bent and plucked one, here and there, And carried it in His hand. And some, with wondrous tenderness, To His lips He gently pressed, And fervent blessings breathed on them, And laid them in His breast. [71] THE VISION SPLENDID IN THE MASTER'S GARDEN (continued) Not a flower that the Master gathers Ever closes or withers away, But sweeter still and fairer grows In the light of His full day. [72] THE VISION SPLENDID GOD'S SUNSHINE Never — once — since the world began Has the sun ever once stopped shining. His face very often we could not see, And we grumbled at his inconstancy; But the clouds were really to blame, not he, For, behind them, he was shining. And so — behind life's darkest clouds, God's love is always shining. We vail it at times with our faithless fears, And darken our sight with our foolish tears, But in time the atmosphere always clears, For His love is always shining. [73] THE VISION SPLENDID LOVE EVER GIVES Love ever gives,— Forgives — outlives, — > And ever stands With open hands. And, while it lives, It gives. For this is Love's prerogative,- To give, — and give, — and give. [74] THE VISION SPLENDID LITTLE BROWN SISTER O sweet .... sweet .... sweet, Little soul of musical fire ! — Sweet-sweet-sweet .... sweet .... sweet .... sweet .... sweet. Little passion of pure white fire ! — Sweet-sweet-sweet .... sweet-sweet-sweet .... sweet .... sweet Little spirit of silvery fire, All athrob with high desire, Ever higher, higher, higher, To the gates of heaven aspire, Heart and wings that never tire, Throat of rippling silvery fire, — Sweet-sweet-sweet .... sweet .... sweet .... sweet .... sweet! How they all in you conspire To lift you higher, higher, Ever nigher, nigher, nigher, To the heart of your desire ! Sweet-sweet-sweet .... sweet .... sweet .... sweet .... sweet. Little soul of silvery fire, [75] THE VISION SPLENDID LITTLE BROWN SISTER (continued) In yourself a perfect choir, A heavenly choir entire, — Of sweetest, purest, rarest, fairest, White-hot high desire! O sweet .... sweet .... sweet-sweet-sweet .... sweet .... sweet Little soul of magical fire 1 [76] THE VISION SPLENDID THE BALLAD OF JIM BAXTER Jim Baxter was the coarsest clay That ever was turned out; But a very first-class fighting-man, Of that there was no doubt. He'd fought since ever he could crawl, And generally won ; Because he never could be brought To see that he was done. So when the war came, Jim was off, — * Among the first to go, Though what the scrap was all about He didn't rightly know. He simply couldn't miss it when There was fighting to be done. Duty, he told the wife and kids, Was a thing no man could shun ; This is simply a name of my own choosing. If perchance there should be an actual Jim Baxter who might feel aggrieved by this use of his name, I take this opportunity pi stating that nothing herein in any way refers to him. [77] THE VISION SPLENDID THE BALLAD OF JIM BAXTER (continued) And, besides, he had a hankering To see the blooming fun. And he might have been a corporal — Or at all events a lance, — If he hadn't been, week out, week in, — For ever on the prance. And he might have been a sergeant, If he hadn't played the goat; For Jim was a first-class fighting-man, Of that there was no doubt. And he might have been a Q.-M.-S., If he hadn't been a fool; But, though a first-class fighting-man, He had been no good at school. He drank enough for ten good men, He swore till all was blue; And non.-coms. never drink or swear, Or do what they shouldn't do. [78] THE VISION SPLENDID THE BALLAD OF JIM BAXTER (continued) So Jim remained a private, — When he wasn't in the jug; And hated sergeants, large and small, And didn't care a plug. He liked the padre just as much, And heeded not his talk; And when the good man tackled him, He always tried to balk. Then came the day, when, blithe and gay, They smashed the German line, And Jim was first man in the trench, Fighting like any nine. They held it for an hour or more, While their supports in rear, Instead of coming, lost their way, And threw things out of gear. And then the huns came swarming back, And word was given to quit; But Jim was fighting as he drank And paid no heed to it. [79] THE VISION SPLENDID THE BALLAD OF JIM BAXTER (continued) Their cartridges had given out, Supplies had gone astray; 'Twas time to go if they would live To fight another day. "Blank — blanketty — blank!" the Sergeant roared, — "Back lads ! — They're ten to one I" Then something took him in the chest, — > "Back lads!" he groaned, "I'm done." But Jim was not the kind to leave A comrade in distress, Although he was the awkwardest Of all the Sergeants' mess. So Jim, he straddled over him And kept the huns at bay, And, with both butt and bayonet, Made wonderful fine play. He fought like ten big fighting-men, But huns have no respect For valour in an enemy, They deem it incorrect. [80] THE VISION SPLENDID THE BALLAD OF JIM BAXTER (continued) So Jim went down plugged full of holes ; But he was hard to kill, And, while he lay unconscious, they Worked out their evil will. When Jim came to, he found himself Nailed to a cross of wood, Just like the Christs you find out there On every country road. He wondered dully if he'd died, And so become a Christ; "Perhaps," he thought, "all men are Christs When they are crucified." His strength was ebbing with his blood, His hands and feet were dead, Fierce biting pains shot from the nails And blazed within his head. Below, a mob of jeering huns Mocked at his woful plight, They bade him loose himself, and come Down for another fight. [81] THE VISION SPLENDID THE BALLAD OF JIM BAXTER (continued) "Christ!" — groaned Jim Baxter, through his teeth, And meant no ill thereby; — It was his usual expletive And came most readily. "Christ!" — groaned Jim Baxter, through his teeth, "D'you call . . . this . . . fighting fair? Just loose me hands . . . and loose me feet .... An' I'd lick you still .... I swear. "Christ!" — groaned Jim Baxter, through his teeth, As the pangs took hold of him, — "I'm going quick ... a dirty trick . . ." His eyes were growing dim. But, suddenly, he raised his head, His eyes shone clear and bright, And opened wide .... for, at his side, Stood One clothed all in white. [82] THE VISION SPLENDID THE BALLAD OF JIM BAXTER (continued) The sun broke through the morning mist And bathed them in its light, — Jim Baxter nailed upon his cross, And The Other all in white. His face was wondrous pitiful, But still more wondrous sweet; And Jim saw holes just like his own In His white hands and feet; But His look it was that won Jim's heart, It was so wondrous sweet. "Christ!" — said the dying man once more, With accent reverent, He had never said it so before, But he knew now what Christ meant; — "Christ" meant a friend in time of need, In spite of foes, — a friend indeed; That was quite evident, — A friend who drew his heart right out, And for his soul did plead. Jim gave in full, heart, mind and soul, In deep acknowledgment. [83] THE VISION SPLENDID THE BALLAD OF JIM BAXTER (continued) And then, through all his deadly pains, He bravely smiled .... and sighed, — Just one long sigh of deep content, Then dropped his head .... and died. His comrades took the trench next day, And found him nailed up there, With a smile of grace upon his face, But never a sign of care. And there, on his cross, they buried him, Against a Judgment Day; Not That Great Day, — but a nearer one, That draweth on as the war is won, When, for the evil they have done, The doers of ill shall pay. [84] THE VISION SPLENDID THE OUTER GUARD Bold Watchers of the deeps, Guards of the Greater Ways, How shall our swelling hearts express Our heights and depths of thankfulness For these safe-guarded days! Grim is your vigil there, Black day and blacker night, — > Watching for life, while knavish death Lurks all around, above, beneath, Waiting his chance to smite. Your hearts are stouter than The worst that Death can do. Our thoughts for you ! — our prayers for you There's One aloft that cares for you, And He will see you through. Don't think we e'er forget The debt we owe to you ! Never a night but we pray for you! Never a day but we say for you, — [85] THE VISION SPLENDID THE OUTER GUARD (continued) "God bless the gallant lads in blue! With mighty strength their hearts renew. Bless every ship and every crew ! Give every man his rightful due ! And bring them all safe through!" [86] THE VISION SPLENDID YOU ALSO! To whom was denied the chance of doing all you would have wished to do. Some of you died by accident, some by disease, some by sheer hard- ship and overwork. No matter. Duty is duty, wheresoe'er 'tis done. So long as you died on duty you share, full equal with the rest, the grati- tude of all our hearts. And you, to whom it was not given To die upon the foughten field, — Yes, you full equally have striven, For you your lives did yield As nobly as the men who fell, There in the blazing mouth of hell. Not in the wild rush of the fight God saw it meet for you to die. Yet he who keeps his armour bright His Lord doth magnify. You answered equally The Call, And he who gives himself gives all. [87] THE VISION SPLENDID YOU ALSO! (continued) Duty is duty, wheresoe'er 'Tis done, and no man can do more Than, in the testing-time, prepare To prove him conqueror. Or here or there — no matter where, Who dies for Right hath done his share, And shall the victor's laurel wear. [88] THE VISION SPLENDID OUR WOUNDED Britain, too often, once the struggle ended, You have forgotten where your duty lay; Your sons, who with their lives your life defended, You have left stranded on life's dreary way. Your promises were all too soon forgotten; The land was strewn with wreckage of your wars; The woes by your indifference begotten You left untended .... But you bore the scars; — Scars deep and ghastly on your reputation, Smirches and blemishes on your fair fame; See to it now, — nor sign your abdication ! See to it now, — nor bow our heads with shame ! If one brave broken soul you leave unfriended, The world will know your own soul's life is dead. Then shall your hope of dominance be ended; — Worthless the body whence the soul is fled. [89] THE VISION SPLENDID OUR WOUNDED (continued) Hereby the world shall test your right to headship, Hereby shall know if you are sound at heart, Or if your soul is sunken in the dead sleep Of those who value not "the better part." [90] THE VISION SPLENDID PRISONERS OF WAR And you ! — ay, yours indeed is hardest fate, Imprisoned there, behind the bars of hate, Victims of low malignity and scorn, Your sole offence that you are British-born. Harder than hardest of the camp or field, To bear in time of stress a virgin shield, — To hear the distant echoes of the fray, Yet be debarred one single stroke to essay. Yet you do serve, who only stand and wait And bear you bravely, nor in aught abate Of your high courage, but, with heads erect, E'en from your jailers still command respect. You serve the state by bearing you as those Whom, undeserving, nought can discompose, You, too, your country's flag can hold on high, By your high bearing in captivity. [91] THE VISION SPLENDID "COME AT ONCE!" "Wounded .... shrapnel .... in the head, Don't worry — fine to be in bed." "Can't write much .... am very well .... But coddling still a bit of shell." "Slow of healing .... soon all right. Sorry gave you such a fright." "Longer here than I expected; Somewhat limp, but not dejected." "Not so well .... bit slack .... and tired; Progress slower than desired." "Hope to see you soon again. Rather rotten .... can't say when." "Come at once!" — official message. Hearts sink low at its grim presage. [92] THE VISION SPLENDID "COME AT ONCE!" (continued) Speeding south .... our hearts outpace us; Faithless fears well-nigh disgrace us. Sympathetic faces greet us He had come half-way to meet us. He is gone. We follow slowly, Treasuring a memory holy. He is gone, .... yet he is near us; Maybe he can see and hear us. Yes, we feel him nearer, dearer; Tears have washed our souls' eyes clearer. [93] THE VISION SPLENDID DE MORTUIS NIL "Of the dead no ill word speak!" Full fitly said, — For the dead — God wot — Can answer not To any ill word spread. But, if our little race To heights like that can rise, God surely will no less, Since His clear comprehending eyes See all the workings of the soul, And see it whole, without disguise. If our small charity can vail The darker shadows of life's tale, Shall He do less, Whose judgments are all righteousness, Whose justice still is grace ? [94] THE VISION SPLENDID ONE MOTHER My Son! My Son! Would God that I had died for thee ! For my full course is well nigh run, But thine, in its sweet ecstasy, Was scarce begun, Yet now is done ; — yet — now — is — done! Would God that I had died for thee, My Son! My Son! Was it for this I travailled sore? — My Son! My Son! — To see thee ere thy prime undone? Flesh of my flesh, a man I bore, — Bone of my bone! — And now have none; — and — now — have — none! Was it for this I travailled sore? My Son! My Son! Yet, Lord, can I deny Thee ought? — My Son! My Son! — For was it not Thine Only One Who my dear one's salvation wrought, [95] THE VISION SPLENDID ONE MOTHER (continued) The Cross upon? — Thine Only One ! — Thine — Only — One! I learn the lesson these have taught, — My Son! Thy Son! Yea, Lord, for all that He hath done, I yield to Him my heart distraught, My life, my soul, my every thought, From His great Love I can hold naught ;- Thy Son! Thy Son! — Thine — Only — One! [96] THE VISION SPLENDID THE MEETING-PLACE Though all the world divide us, Yet, in Thee, — Spirit of God, — the Paraclete, — In holy fellowship we meet, And our souls greet Each other in communion sweet. Yea, — if our faith and love be strong enough, Here we be one, For time and space are nought In our communion. Nor Death himself can part us from our loved; Time, space, and death are of the earth; The souls of all who dwell in Thee Are Thy new birth. In Thee they find release From all the bonds of frail humanity, And Freedom, and The Peace [97] THE VISION SPLENDID THE MEETING-PLACE (continued) Which passeth knowledge, And security; And, in that sanctuary sweet, Their souls' maturity. [98] THE VISION SPLENDID SOME BLESSEDS Blessed are they that have eyes to see. They shall find God everywhere. They shall see Him where others see stones. Blessed are they that have understanding hearts. To them shall be multiplied Kingdoms of De- light. Blessed are they that see visions. They shall rejoice in the hidden ways of God. Blessed are the song-ful of soul. They carry light and joy to shadowed lives. Blessed are they who rejoice in the power of prayer. They draw very near to God. Blessed are they who know the power of Love. They dwell in God, for God is Love. [99] THE VISION SPLENDID SOME BLESSEDS (continued) Blessed are the dead. For they are with God. Blessed are the living. For they can still serve God. Blessed are they who rejoice in their children. To them is revealed the Father-Motherhood of God. Blessed are the childless, loving children still. Theirs shall be a mightier family, Even as the stars of heaven. Blessed are the souls kept virgin for mankind. Unto them shall be given unbounded kingdoms of great joy. Blessed are the faithful strong. They are the right hands of God. Blessed are they that dwell in peace, — If they forget not God. [100] THE VISION SPLENDID SOME BLESSEDS (continued) Blessed are they that fight for the Right. They shall save their souls, For God is with them. Blessed are they whose memories we cherish. Our thoughts add jewels to their crowns. Blessed are they who, through tribulation, have come to perfect trust in God. Theirs is the peace which passeth understand- ing. Blessed are the burdened of heart to whom The Comforter has come. They foretaste the joy of heaven. Blessed are the souls all bare before God. He shall clothe them with His Peace and Love. Blessed is the people whose heart is set on God. It shall STAND. [101] THE VISION SPLENDID THE SACRAMENT OF FOOD! Each meal should be a sacramental feast, — A Eucharist each breaking of the bread, Wherein we meet again our Great High Priest, And pledge new troth to our exalted Head. For all we eat doth come of sacrifice, — Life out of Death, — since all we eat must yield Life for our living, — and yet, nothing dies, But in its giving finds its life fulfilled. The wheat, the plant, the beast, and man, all give Each of their best, God's purpose to maintain, And all subserve the end for which all live, And pass, — to live more worthily again. [102] THE VISION SPLENDID AT— ONE— MENT At odds with Thee, Through my inconstancy!— Then is my life A tragedy of woe, And voided of delight, — A grim black night, Where threatening shadows come and go, And foes prevail, — A beggary beyond the pale, At which my shrinking soul in fear doth quail. At odds with Thee ! — Ah — that is misery ! At one with Thee ! — Ah, then, in truth no more Am I alone, As I was heretofore, To face the stress of life; But filled with power That makes me conqueror in the strife, — Strong to prevail When foes assail, [103] THE VISION SPLENDID AT— ONE— MENT (continued) Or patient to endure, And proof against the world's most sweet allure. At one with Thee — Is my delivery. [104] THE VISION SPLENDID KITCHENER He stands for ever on the scroll of fame As one who, by his calm persistence, overcame All obstacles, and, by his zealous faithfulness, Built for himself an imperishable name. He was a man, — A man above the common run of men, One of the larger breed, — A man who at its highest did maintain Honour's high creed. Forethought, foresight, — Indomitable will, and nerve of steel,— An instinct for success That did success compel, — Pre-vision that contingencies assessed, — Cool courage under stress that nought de- pressed, — These were the man, — Britain at her highest and her best. [105] THE VISION SPLENDID KITCHENER (continued) The forthright glance Of those deep steadfast eyes of his Pierced like a sword life's small hypocrisies, And saw, behind, the graver urgencies. He nothing left to chance, Nor ever bowed to adverse circumstance. The cavillings of smaller men Disturbed him not. He laid his course, won through, And trust begot. His was a name to conjure with — Because men trusted him. He called for men, And men sprang up in legions to his call, — i Because they trusted him. His life was lofty; and in full accord His death. On duty exigent he went, And on the high tide of accomplishment, Met there his Over-Lord. Like Viking bold, Like one of the Kings of Old, He passed. On duty bent, [106] THE VISION SPLENDID KITCHENER (continued) Into the storm he went, And vanished from men's sight; — » Fit ending for a perfect knight Whose shield was white, His honour spotless bright; His tomb, great ocean's bed, — Fit resting-place for one Who ne'er by man was vanquished. Like a deep sea of unknown strength Was he. Now in unfathomable depths he lies, Master, at length, of all the mysteries; And those grave steadfast eyes of his Still watch intent his country's destinies. [107] THE VISION SPLENDID PROMOTED In the North Sea Battle, May 31st, 19 16, JOHN TRAVERS CORNWELL, First-Class Boy, H.M.S. "Chester." The Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Fleet, in submitting to the Admiralty his Report on the Jutland Bank Battle, includes the following in- stance of devotion to duty recorded by Sir David Beatty : — "A report from the Commanding Officer of 'Chester* gives a splendid instance of devotion to duty. Boy {First-Class) John Travers Cornwell, of 'Chester,' was mortally wounded early in the action. He nevertheless remained standing alone at a most exposed post, quietly awaiting orders till the end of the action, with the gun's crew dead and wounded all around him. His age was under 1 6^2 years. I regret that he has since died, but I recommend his case for special recognition in jus- tice to his memory, and as an acknowledgment of the high example set by him." [108] THE VISION SPLENDID PROMOTED (continued) There was his duty to be done, — And he did it. No thought of glory to be won; There was his duty to be done, — And he did it. Wounded when scarce the fight begun, Of all his fellows left not one ; There was his duty to be done, — And he did it. Death's fiery hail he did not shun, Fearless he stood, unmoved, alone, Beside his eager, useless gun; There was his duty to be done, — And he did it. Britain, be proud of such a son ! — Deathless the fame that he has won. Only a boy, — but such a one ! — Standing for ever to his gun; There was his duty to be done, — And he did it. [109] THE VISION SPLENDID PROMOTED (continued) Let every soul in all the land Revere his steadfast loyalty. Britain shall all unconquered stand While she can breed such sons as he. His brave, short life was nobly planned On lines of perfect fealty, His death fulfilled his KING'S command, "Aye ready be to come to ME !" And he did it. [110] THE VISION SPLENDID EDITH CAVELL Dead? Who? Not you — for whom the assassin's hand But opened wide the door to larger life And Immortality! You are not dead! — You live for ever in our hearts and minds, A perfect woman, brave, and sweet, and true, Passed, in the gracious fulness of your time, To nobler work for Him you served so well. And you still work among us as before, — And more. — No sister-nurse in all the world to-day But bears upon her heart and face The impress of your soul's high martyrdom; And we pay each the homage due to you. All nursing-hands are gentler still — for you! All nursing-feet are swifter still — for you ! All nursing-hearts are braver still — for you ! — And all our souls more loftily attuned By our sweet memory of you. [Ill] THE VISION SPLENDID EDITH CAVELL (continued) But dead — ay, dead, in grimmest truth, The soul of that poor land That gave you victim to its savage spleen. Dead to all sense of right, — Dead to all sense of shame, — Dead to mere decency, — And dead — dead — dead to God And His Fair Christ. The pity! — oh, the pity! — that a land Which once bore men Should fall so low! Punishment? What punishment could fit so foul a crime ? No punishment devisable of man were adequate. As thou forgavest, we can do no less. God saw it all. In His just balances it lies, The crowning weight of their vast infamies. In His own time, in His own way, For this — and all — we wait His Reckoning-Day. [112] THE VISION SPLENDID GOOD ONLY If this be good it shall abide. If not, — best gone. Of that which stands not in His sight We will have none. [113] THE VISION SPLENDID GERMANIA! And the Lord said: 'Where is thy brother?" And he said, "I know not. 4m I my brother's keeper?" And the Lord said: "What hast thou done? The 'voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto Me from the ground." Henceforth for years to come, And long as memory remains, Your very name shall bear an evil fame, — Shall be a hissing and a byword and a scorn, — A synonym for deep-planned treacheries, For outrage of all common human rights, For murderous venom, mad, insensate rage, And coldly-calculated frightfulness, Which missed its aim but brands you, hence for ever, With the mark of Cain. [114] THE VISION SPLENDID GERMANIA (continued) Men reap what they have sown; — That is the inviolable law. You have sown hatreds; hatreds you shall reap, And utter detestation of right-minded men. Your masters, hanged like Haman, Were too lightly sped. And you, the common herd, Who carried out like cattle their fell will, — > You shared the evil; you rejoiced in it; You would have shared the plunder; You the punishment must share. So long as memory remains, You bear the foul black stains. And memories of deeds like yours Are deep, deep memories, and long, — Deeper than graves, and longer than men's lives. Yet even you — returned to saner mind, Your foul crimes purged, and reparation made, May in Time's fulness be received again Among the nations; But — not — yet, — nor ever as before. What man henceforth can trust you? You have lost [115] THE VISION SPLENDID GERMANIA (continued) Your standing in the courts of honour and of truth. Outcast you are, outcast you must remain, Until you prove your right to stand again In the clean company of honourable men. A knightly enemy, one fair in fight, — The fighting done, we greet again as friend And bear no malice. But a foe who knows No law of God or man but his necessity, Whose word is wind, whose treaties — paper spoiled, His pledges — cover for his treacheries, His acts — the rootings of a hog in mire ; — His hand no honest man can take again Until he cleanse it of the accursed stain. [116] THE VISION SPLENDID RIGHT AND RIGHTS If every man did right, No man would have to fight For his own rights 'mid all the other wrongs and rights of life; His rights would be his right, And no man then would fight For that which was his own 'mid all the other rights of life. If only — only — only — Every man did right, No more would life be strife, But just one long, bright, infinite, Pure vista of delight, — If only — only — only — Every man did right. [117] THE VISION SPLENDID THE FATHER-MOTHERHOOD Father and Mother, Thou In Thy full being art, — Justice with mercy intertwined, Judgment exact with Love combined, Neither complete apart. And so, we know that when Our service weak and vain, The Father- Justice would condemn, The Mother-Love Thy wrath will stem, And our reprieval gain. [118] THE VISION SPLENDID GOD-SENSE ! God grant you, In the common ways of life, Good common-sense ! — And in the larger things, Uncommon sense ! — And, in the greatest things of all, His own God-sense ! — God-sense of what is right and fit, That so, in every circumstance Of life or death, you may acquit Yourself as He deems well, — In all make good deliverance, In all without offence excel, In all add glory to His name, And His estate enhance. [119] THE VISION SPLENDID DEBTOR AND CREDITOR AM I All who have lived and gone, Since Time began, — And all that they have ever done, Since Time began, — Their every thought, and word, and deed Has been unconsciously a seed, Bringing its influence to bear Upon my mind and character. Yea, each and all, in their degree, Have had their part in making ME,— And YOU,— Just simple you, and simple me. And equally — Till Time shall end, And on through all eter- nity, — In its degree, Each thought and word and deed of mine Or makes or mars God's fair design. Not one but has its due effect, In ways by me all unsuspect, [120] THE VISION SPLENDID DEBTOR AND CREDITOR AM I (continued) On all who shall come after me. No tiniest ripple on the sea But tells on its immensity. Here as I stand — a simple man — I am Time's heir Since Time began. And more, — in my degree, Progenitor Of all that Time may have in store; — < Debtor and Creditor in one Of all that has been, shall be, done. I am at once effect and cause Of all that is to be or was. Enough, in truth, to make one pause In awe-struck wonder at the laws Which suffer no least thing to fail In carrying on the wondrous tale. In God's economy there is No end to once-born energies. The very leaf that falls and dies Lives on again in other guise; And no man for himself alone Can live, or his account disown. [121] THE VISION SPLENDID DEBTOR AND CREDITOR AM I (continued) However small, for good or ill, He doth Life's purposes fulfil, And graves upon the deathless scroll The endless record of his soul. God's primal word was "Let there be!" And therewith — Life's eternity. [122] THE VISION SPLENDID INSPIRATION— PERSPIRATION Inspiration is good, but with it alone Life's prizes are not to be won; Perspiration you'll need if you would succeed And get the world's work well done. [123] THE VISION SPLENDID IN THE BEGINNING In the Beginning, When as yet nought was, — Earth without form and void, — Darkness impenetrate upon the deeps, — Still one the upper and the nether floods, — Thou, Spirit of God, didst move Upon the waters' face, Silent, majestic, where was none to see. And in those vast infinities Of silence and of space, Didst ponder what should be. And of Thy wondrous pondering Came — Earth. And, through the ages since, Unseen and silent, Thou hast watched Earth's doings and undoings; — Hast seen the nations rise To utmost dominance, Filling the earth with wonder and with awe Of their magnificence; And Thou hast seen them fall [124] THE VISION SPLENDID IN THE BEGINNING (continued) To nought and less than nought, — To nothing but a name And that accursed. The nations come, the nations go; But, in the everness of Thine eternity, They are no more than shadows Flitting across earth's face, Which Thou didst make so fair, And dulling for a little space Its radiance rare. And ever, when, in his sore need, Man turned to Thee, Thy help was given unstintedly and free. And when, in high estate again, He turned and flouted Thee, Thou, The Omnipotent, his crown Didst take, and put him down Into the dust from whence he came, And left him but a name. But, through it all we see, Though dimly, since Thy ways are mystery, [125] THE VISION SPLENDID IN THE BEGINNING (continued) Thy Will, through all the fret and strife, Towards fuller, larger, nobler life. And still, in silent majesty, Unheard, unseen, Thou dwellest above The wild world-welter of these later days, Watching, watching, watching man deface Thine image, and Thy love abase, — A chaos darker than tha