The Silk-Hat Soldier

Is price too vast--yet, Belgium, hadst thou sold
Thyself, O then had fled from out the earth
Honour for ever, and left only Gold.

Nor diest thou--for soon shalt thou awake,
And, lifted high on our victorious shields,
Watch the new sunrise driving for your sons
The hated German shadow from your fields.

"British colonists resident in London volunteer, and
not even silk hats are doffed before training begins"

--New York Times

THE SILK-HAT SOLDIER

I saw him in a picture, and I felt I'd like to cry--

He stood in line,
The man "for mine,"
A tall silk-hatted "guy"--

Right on the call,
Silk hat and all,
He'd hurried to the cry--
For he loves England well enough for England to die.

I've seen King Harry's helmet in the Abbey hanging high--

The one he wore
At Agincourt;