22 FEBRUARY 1919, Page 14

POETRY.

THE VOLUNTEER.

I womn teat God's purposes

I will go up and see What fate He'll give, what destiny His Had holds for me.

For God is very secret,

Slow smiles. but does not say A word that will foreshadow Shape of the coming day.

Curious am I, curious . . .

And since He will not tell V11 prove Him, go up against

The mouth of naked Hell.

And what hereafter—Heaven?

Or Blighty? 0 if it were . . .

Mere agony, mere pain the price Of the returning there.

Or—nothing! Days in mud And slush, then still more days . . .

Aie me! " Are they not all

The seas of God"; God's Ways?-

Ivor Gomm,.