English poem
DESTROYERS.
by John Graham Bower (1886–1940)
Through the dark night And the fury of battle Pass the destroyers in showers of spray. As the Wolf-pack to the flank of the cattle, We shall close in on them—shadows of grey. In from ahead, Through shell-flashes red, We shall come down to them, after the Day. Whistle and crash Of salvo and volley Round us and into us while we attack. Light on our target they'll flash in their folly, Splitting our ears with the shrapnel-crack.
Fire as they will, We'll come to them still, Roar as they may at us—Back—Go Back! White though the sea To the shell-flashes foaming, We shall be there at the death of the Hun. Only we pray for a star in the gloaming (Light for torpedoes and none for a gun). Lord—of Thy Grace Make it a race, Over the sea with the night to run.