2 NOVEMBER 1918, Page 13

POETRY.

WILLIAM GLADSTONE (COLDSTREAM GUARDS), KILLED IN ACTION SEPTEMBER 27ru.

CAPTAIN OF His " TUTOR," 1916.

BRAVE oarsman, of the gracious silence, loved By all, my captain, once I did you wrong, Doubting your leading. Smilingly you proved Most gentle is most strong.

You came to us from France, and overwise I knew the brand of war must leave a trace; But childhood's innocence was in your eyes, God's peace was on your face.

And you, and all the best are dead, and this Abides a riddle baffling human wit, And Shakespeare has no word beyond " It is; And my heart breaks at it."

Yet this a child may know, The Shadow hides Life in the Presence, or the dreamless bed : And still for all who mourn Love's word abides, " They shall be comforted." ETON.