23 AUGUST 1963, Page 22

State Visit '

The children wait eagerly, or yawn, or cry. A carriage clatters past. They wave, a hand Waves back. Wagging their paper flags they stand, Bewildered by its golden brevity.

Being too young to remember when or why We fought our guests, they simply take on trust That honour is compact of blood and dust, That for such glory men were made to die.

Death does not touch them, nor dare they disturb The pensioner, as after the procession

He dreams old conquests back, but swerve to shun The war-disabled beggar at the kerb. CHRISTOPHER LEVENSON