Thomas Hardy
What of the faith and
fire within us
Men who march away
Night is growing gray,
To hazards whence no tears
can win us;
What of the faith and fire
within us
Men who march away!
Is it a purblind prank,
O think you,
Friend with the musing eye
Who watch us stepping by
With doubt and dolorous
sigh?
hoodwink you?
Is it a purblind prank,
O think you,
Friend with the musing
eye?
Nay. We see well what we
are doing,
Though some may not see –
Dalliers as they be –
England’s need are we;
Her distress would leave
us rueing:
are doing,
Though some may not see!
In our heart of hearts
believing
Victory crowns the just,
And that braggarts must
Surely bite the dust,
Press we to the field
ungrieving,
In our heart of hearts
believing
Hence the faith and fire
within us
Men who march away
Ere the barn-cocks say
Night is growing gray,
To hazards whence no tears
can win us;
Hence the faith and fire
within us
Men who march away.
—1914