VALLEY OF THE SHADOW

(From the Nation, 1915.)

God, I am travelling out to death’s sea,

  I, who exulted in sunshine and laughter,

Thought not of dying—death is such waste of me!—

  Grant me one comfort: Leave not the hereafter

Of mankind to war, as though I had died not—

  I, who in battle, my comrade’s arm linking,

Shouted and sang—life in my pulses hot

  Throbbing and dancing! Let not my sinking

In dark be for naught, my death a vain thing!

  God, let me know it the end of man’s fever!

Make my last breath a bugle call, carrying

  Peace o’er the valleys and cold hills, for ever!