George Herbert Clarke, ed. (1873–1953). A Treasury of War Poetry. 1917.
Florence Earle Coates
In War-Time
An American Homeward-BoundF
Of war—and of England’s care;
I try to keep my mind serene—
But my heart stays there;
My spirit doth deep confuse,
And I sit all day on the deck, and long—
And long for news!
Heroes with hearts of gold,
But of their victory a sign
The Fates withhold;
The voiceless hush grows dense
’Mid the imaginings, alas!
That feed suspense.
In the wilful sea-bird’s track,
Would I hurry on, with a homesick cry—
Or hasten back?