Where, at war with Life and Conscience, he uplifts his erring hands To some God of Abstract Justice-which no woman understands. And Man knows it! Knows, moreover, that the Woman that God gave him Must command but may not govern-shall enthral but not enslave him. And She knows, because She warns him, and Her instincts never fail, That the Female of Her Species is more deadly than the Male. EPITAPHS 'EQUALITY OF SACRIFICE' A. 'I was a "have.” B. 'I was a "have-not.” (Together). 'What hast thou given which I gave not?' A SERVANT We were together since the War began. He was my servant-and the better man. A SON My son was killed while laughing at some jest. I would I knew What it was, and it might serve me in a time when jests are few. AN ONLY SON I have slain none except my Mother. She (Blessing her slayer) died of grief for me. EX-CLERK Pity not! The Army gave In which Freedom did he find THE WONDER Body and Spirit I surrendered whole To harsh Instructors-and received a soul If mortal man could change me through and through From all I was—what may The God not do? EPITAPHS 133 HINDU SEPOY IN FRANCE This man in his own country prayed we know not to what Powers. We pray Them to reward him for his bravery in ours. THE COWARD I could not look on Death, which being known, Men led me to him, blindfold and alone. SHOCK My name, my speech, my self I had forgot. I died. My Mother followed. At her call And on her bosom I remembered all. A GRAVE NEAR CAIRO Gods of the Nile, should this stout fellow here Get out-get out! He knows not shame nor fear. PELICANS IN THE WILDERNESS (A GRAVE NEAR HALFA) The blown sand heaps on me, that none may learn Where I am laid for whom my children grieve. O wings that beat at dawning, ye return Out of the desert to your young at eve! THE FAVOUR Death favoured me from the first, well knowing I could not endure To wait on him day by day. He quitted my betters and came |