I was near the King that day. I saw him snatch
And briskly scan the G.H.Q. dispatch.
Thick-voiced, he read it out. (His face was grave.)
This officer advanced with the first wave,
And when our first objective had been gained,
(Though wounded twice), reorganized the line:
The spirit of the troops was by his fine
Example most effectively sustained.
He gripped his beard; then closed his eyes and said,
Bathsheba must be warned that he is dead.
Send for her. I will be the first to tell
This wife how her heroic husband fell.
