A Cross is slanting tween two withered trees -
I saw him first in peace, amid a crowd
Of streets, nor dreamed him ever one of these,
So wistfully he mused, so shyly proud,
So chalk-besmeared he walked his weary pace.
A space went, - and on an early day
Within the trench, I saw a half-known face
Awake with wonder; a child-lived heart at play
With dreamed romance: a Drake-keen eye ashine
For newer worlds
A thunder tore the line!
..
A shell burst!
.. He smiled as Sidney smiled-
And fell
..There came the crying of a child,
..A wave of little hands
..a soft breeze
The cross is slanting tween two withered trees.
