Andrew Macphail, comp. The Book of Sorrow. 1916.
Dirge for a SoldierGeorge Henry Boker (18231890)
C
What to him is friend or foeman,
Rise of moon or set of sun,
Hand of man or kiss of woman?
In the clover or the snow!
What cares he? He cannot know:
Lay him low!
Proved his truth by his endeavour:
Let him sleep in solemn night,
Sleep for ever and for ever.
Roll the drum and fire the volley!
What to him are all our wars?
What but death bemocking folly?
Trust him to the hand that made him.
Mortal love weeps idly by:
God alone has power to aid him.
In the clover or the snow!
What cares he? He cannot know:
Lay him low!