Never more rampant rose the Hall

[60]

At thy audacious line

Than when the news came in from Gaul

Thy son had—followed mine.

But thou didst hide it in thy breast

And, capering, took the brunt

Of blaze and blare, and launched the jest

That swept next week the front.

Singer to children! Ours possessed

Sleep before noon—but thee,

Wakeful each midnight for the rest,

No holocaust shall free.

Yet they who use the Word assigned,

To hearten and make whole,

Not less than Gods have served mankind,

Though vultures rend their soul.

[61]

MY BOY JACK

'Have you news of my boy Jack?'

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