In Time of War : Poems by the late Archbishop
Treacle. (Kagan Paul, Trench, and Co. fid.)—Archbishop Trench wrote these poems between the years 1854-1860; and they are now most seasonably republished. Every mood that we have experienced during the last few months is here portrayed with admirable simplicity and force. There are many touching things in the volume; perhaps the most pathetic is "The Unforgotten," a threnody on those who died of disease- " Who being girt and armed for the fight, Yielded their arms, but to no mortal foe."
Here are some of the stanzas :- " Sad doom ;—yet say not Heaven to them assigned
A lot from all of glory quite estranged : Albeit the laurel which they hoped to bind About their brows, for cypress wreath was changed.
Heaven gave to them a glory stern, austere, A glory of all earthy glory shorn ; With firm heart to accept fate's gift severe, Bravely to bear the thing that must be borne, To see such visions fade and turn to nought, And in this saddest issue to consent ; It only the great work were duly wrought. That others should accomplish it content.
And now, and when this dreadful work is done, England, be these too thy delight and pride; Wear them as near thy heart as any one Of all who conquering lived or conquering died."
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