In Flanders fields, the poppies blowBetween the crosses, row on row,That mark our places. In the skyThe larks, still bravely singing, fly,Scarce heard amid the guns below.We are the dead. Short days agoWe lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,Loved and were loved, and now we lieIn Flanders fields.Take up our quarrel with the foe!To you, from failing hands, we throwThe torch. Be yours to lift it high!If ye break faith with us who die,We shall not sleep, though poppies blowIn Flanders fields.John McCrae.
In Flanders fields, the poppies blowBetween the crosses, row on row,That mark our places. In the skyThe larks, still bravely singing, fly,Scarce heard amid the guns below.We are the dead. Short days agoWe lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,Loved and were loved, and now we lieIn Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe!To you, from failing hands, we throwThe torch. Be yours to lift it high!If ye break faith with us who die,We shall not sleep, though poppies blowIn Flanders fields.John McCrae.
(AN ANSWER)
In Flanders fields, the cannon boomAnd fitful flashes light the gloom,While up above, like eagles, flyThe fierce destroyers of the sky;With stains the earth wherein you lieIs redder than the poppy bloom,In Flanders fields.
In Flanders fields, the cannon boomAnd fitful flashes light the gloom,While up above, like eagles, flyThe fierce destroyers of the sky;With stains the earth wherein you lieIs redder than the poppy bloom,In Flanders fields.
Sleep on, ye brave. The shrieking shell,The quaking trench, the startled yell,The fury of the battle hellShall wake you not, for all is well.Sleep peacefully, for all is well.Your flaming torch aloft we bear,With burning heart an oath we swearTo keep the faith, to fight it through,To crush the foe or sleep with youIn Flanders fields.C. B. Galbraith.
Sleep on, ye brave. The shrieking shell,The quaking trench, the startled yell,The fury of the battle hellShall wake you not, for all is well.Sleep peacefully, for all is well.Your flaming torch aloft we bear,With burning heart an oath we swearTo keep the faith, to fight it through,To crush the foe or sleep with youIn Flanders fields.C. B. Galbraith.
Because you passed, and now are not,—Because in some remoter dayYour sacred dust from doubtful spotWas blown of ancient airs away,—Because you perished,—must men sayYour deeds were naught, and so profaneYour lives with that cold burden? Nay,The deeds you wrought are not in vain!Though, it may be above the plotThat hid your once imperial clay,No greener than o’er men forgotThe unregarded grasses sway,—Though there no sweeter is the layFrom careless bird,—though you remainWithout distinction of decay,—The deeds you wrought are not in vain!No. For while yet in tower or cotYour story stirs the pulse’s play;And men forget the sordid lot—The sordid care, of cities gray;—While yet, beset in homelier fray,They learn from you the lesson plainThat life may go, so Honor stay,—The deeds you wrought are not in vain!EnvoyHeroes of old! I humbly layThe laurel on your graves again;Whatever men have done, men may,—The deeds you wrought are not in vain!Austin Dobson.
Because you passed, and now are not,—Because in some remoter dayYour sacred dust from doubtful spotWas blown of ancient airs away,—Because you perished,—must men sayYour deeds were naught, and so profaneYour lives with that cold burden? Nay,The deeds you wrought are not in vain!
Though, it may be above the plotThat hid your once imperial clay,No greener than o’er men forgotThe unregarded grasses sway,—Though there no sweeter is the layFrom careless bird,—though you remainWithout distinction of decay,—The deeds you wrought are not in vain!
No. For while yet in tower or cotYour story stirs the pulse’s play;And men forget the sordid lot—The sordid care, of cities gray;—While yet, beset in homelier fray,They learn from you the lesson plainThat life may go, so Honor stay,—The deeds you wrought are not in vain!
Envoy
Heroes of old! I humbly layThe laurel on your graves again;Whatever men have done, men may,—The deeds you wrought are not in vain!Austin Dobson.