2 FEBRUARY 1918, Page 16

POETRY.

THE WAR AND ONE MAN IN THE STREET.

WHAT has the war meant for my part, What has it shown to mg?

The splendid wealth of many a heart— And my heart's poverty.

Through this enthralling awe-ful time

What have I, marvelling, known? Men's lives of heroism sublime— •

Mine unheroic own.

May I not spur that, too, awake, To seek some worthier goal, And wear the thought "For others' sake " As brassard for my soul?

God, ere the warriors' flags be furled, - For this poor self I sue : Rebuilding now Thy ravaged world, Make even me anew !

Late, late the prayer, alas! But now I could not live and see My life sink back to its old slough Ere these men died for me. B. T..