boast or gird,
As we raged (rememberest thou?) when
      our crowds were stirred. 
Now we count new keels afloat, and new
      hosts on land,
Massed liked ours (rememberest thou?)
      when our strokes were planned. 
We were schooled for dear life sake, to
      know each other’s blade: 
What can blood and iron make more than
      we have made? 
We have learned by keenest use to know
      each other’s mind: 
What shall blood and iron loose that we
      cannot bind? 
We who swept each other’s coast, sacked
      each other’s home,
Since the sword of Brennus clashed on
      the scales at Rome,
Listen, court and close again, wheeling
      girth to girth,
In the strained and bloodless guard set
      for peace on earth.

Broke to every known mischance, lifted over
      all
By the light sane joy of life, the buckler of
      the Gaul,
Furious in luxury, merciless in toil,
Terrible with strength renewed from a
      tireless soil,
Strictest judge of her own worth, gentlest of
      men’s mind,
First to follow truth and last to leave old
      truths behind,
France beloved of every soul that loves or
      serves its kind.

First published June 24, 1913.

I

ON THE FRONTIER OF CIVILIZATION

“It’s a pretty park,” said the French artillery officer.  “We’ve done a lot for it since the owner left.  I hope he’ll appreciate it when he comes back.”

The car traversed a winding drive through woods, between banks embellished with little chalets of a rustic nature.  At first, the chalets stood their full height above ground, suggesting tea-gardens in England.  Further on they sank into the earth till, at the top of the ascent, only their solid brown roofs showed.  Torn branches drooping across the driveway, with here and there a scorched patch of undergrowth, explained the reason of their modesty.

The chateau that commanded these glories of forest and park sat boldly on a terrace.  There was nothing wrong with it except, if one looked closely, a few scratches or dints on its white stone walls, or a neatly drilled hole under a flight of steps.  One such hole ended in an unexploded shell.  “Yes,” said the officer.  “They arrive here occasionally.”

Something bellowed across the folds of the wooded hills; something grunted in reply.  Something passed overhead, querulously but not without dignity.  Two clear fresh barks joined the chorus, and a man moved lazily in the direction of the guns.

“Well.  Suppose we come and look at things a little,” said the commanding officer.

AN OBSERVATION POST