V

What time in empty hour awhile relaxed, Around my cage’s circuit I have paced, Sunk in myself, and broodingly have traced These late appalling issues, I have taxed My country with a weakening will: “Thou slack’st Thy effort, England.” Then some sight hath braced My soul, and from my mind the doubt effaced. England, it is not energy thou lack’st! I felt it when one morn there sudden flew Around the camp new life and boisterous cheer, Unlike the mood of those who hitherto Our wants supplied, and something did endear The noise of labour to us, and we knew That English orderlies at length were here.

HESEPE, 20th June