(To The Men Of The 2/5 Gloucester Regiment)

When once I sat in estaminets With trusty friends of mine, We drank to folk in England And pledged them well in wine,

While thoughts of Gloucester filled us-- Roads against windy skies At sunset, Severn river, Red inn-blinds, country cries.

That stung the heart with sorrow And barbéd sweet delight At Riez Bailleul, Laventie, At Merville, many a night.

Now I am over Channel I cannot help but think Of friends who stifle longing With friendly food and drink.

“Where’s Gurney now, I wonder, That smoked a pipe all day; Sometimes that talked like blazes, Sometimes had naught to say?”

And I, at home, must wonder Where all my comrades are: Those men whose Heart-of-Beauty Was never stained by War.