“Tell me why this year of sorrow
Wears so fair a face?
Whence earth's scenes and seasons borrow
More appealing grace?”
“We who watch have hearts made tender,
Sense more keen to scan
All that Duty bids surrender
When she calls to man.”

“Tell me why is England dearer
In this world at war?”
“Grief and loss but bind her nearer
Who was ours before.
Finer things than we had eye for
Stir beneath the strife,
And the land that heroes die for
Wakes to nobler life.”