THE VILLAGE WIFE'S LAMENT

POETICAL WORKS OF MAURICE HEWLETT

A Masque of Dead Florentines Pan and the Young Shepherd: a pastoral Artemision The Agonists: a trilogy Helen Redeemed and other Poems Gai Saber: Tales and Songs The Song of the Plow Peridore and Paravail The Village Wife's Lament



THE VILLAGE WIFE'S LAMENT

BY

MAURICE HEWLETT



LONDON

MARTIN SECKER LONDON: MARTIN SECKER (LTD) 1918



I

i

O what is this you've done to me, Or what have I done, That bare should be our fair roof-tree, And I all alone? 'Tis worse than widow I become More than desolate, To face a worse than empty home Without child or mate.

'Twas not my strife askt him his life When it was but begun, Nor mine, I was a new-made wife And now I am none; Nor mine that many a sapless ghost Wails in sorrow-fare— But this does cost my pride the most, That bloodshedding to share.

Image of streaming eyes, tear-gleaming, Of women foiled and defeat, I am like Christ shockt out of dreaming, Showing His hands and feet; Showing His feet and hands to God, Saying, "Are these in vain? For men I have trod the sorrowful road, And by them I am slain."

Seeing I have a breast in common, I must share in that shame, Since from the womb of some poor woman Each evil one came— Every hot and blundering thought, Every hag-rid will, And every haut king pride-distraught That drove men out to kill.

A woman's womb did fashion him, Her bosom was his nurse, And many women's eyes are dim To see their sons a curse. Had I the wit some women have To one such I would say, "Think you this love the good Lord gave Is yours to take away?"

O Hand divine that for a sign Didst bend the rose-red bow, Betokening wrath was no more Thine With man's Cain-branded brow— What now, O Lord, shouldst Thou accord To such a shameful brood? A bow as crimson as the sword Which men have soakt in blood.

ii

I cannot see the grass Or feel the wind blowing, But I think of brother and brother And hot blood flowing.

The whole world akin, And I, an alien, Walk branded with the sin And the blood-guilt of men.

And often I cry In my sharp distress, It were better to die Than know such bitterness.

iii

The Lord of Life He did ordain How this world should run, That Love should call thro' joy and pain Two natures to be one; Now jags across the high God's plan Division like a scar, For this is true, that He made man, But man made war.

Had men the dower of teeth and claws And not a grace beside them? Were they given wit to know the laws And hard hearts to outride them? What drove them turn the sweet green earth Into a puddle of blood? What drove them drown our simple mirth In salt tear-flood?

Has man been lifted up erect, A lord of life and death, His world's elect, and his brow deckt With murder for a wreath? What shall be done with such an one, And whither he be hurl'd? The Lord let crucify His Son— Who gibbetted His world?

iv

Be it Pole Star or Southern Cross That shelters me or you, The same things are gain and loss, And the same things true: The home-love, the mother-love, The old, old things; The lad's love of maiden's love That gives a man wings,

And makes a maid stand still, afraid Lest it were all a dream That he do think himself apaid If she be all to him. The arching earth has no more worth Than this, to love, to wed, To serve the hearth, to bring to birth, To win your children's bread.

v

The bee pills nothing for himself, Loading with gold his thigh, The martin twittering, at his shelf, Glancing from the sky Not greedy ease make slaves of these; Nor yet endures the cow, Her failing knees and agonies For price of joy I vow.

A call above the spell of love, A crying and a need To make two one, the fruit whereof To nurture and to feed; To brood, to hoard, to spend as rain Virtue and tears and blood; To get that you may give amain— Of such is parenthood.

vi

I chose a heart out of a hundred To nest my own heart in; To have that plunder'd, and two hearts sunder'd— Who had heart for the sin? What woman's son that saw but one Such sanctuary waste Could set his lips like ironstone And raven broadcast?

What harm did we to any man That now I must moan? We did but follow Nature's plan And cleave to our own; For Life it teaches you but this: Seek you each other; Rise up from your clasp and kiss, A father and a mother.

O piety of hand and knee, Of lips and bow'd head! O ye who see a soul set free— Free, when the heart is dead! There is no rest but in the grave; Thither my wasted eyes Turn for the only home they have, Where my true love lies.

There alongside his clay-cold corse I pray that mine may rest; I'll warm him with my lover's force And feed him at my breast: I'll nurse him as I nurst his child, The child he never saw, The stricken child that never smil'd. And scarce my milk could draw.

Poor girls, whose argument's the same For seeking or denying, Who kiss to shield yourselves from blame, And kiss for justifying; How am I better now or worse, Beguiler or beguiled, Who crave to nurse a clay-cold corse, And kiss a dead child?

vii

O I was shap't in comeliness, My face was fashion'd fair, My breath was sweet, I used to bless The treasure of my hair; A many prais'd my body's grace, And follow'd with the eye My faring in the village ways, And I knew why.

Love came my way, fire-flusht and gay, Where I did stand: "This is the day your pride to lay Under a true man's hand." I bow'd my head to hear it said In words of long ago; For ever since the world was made Our lot was order'd so.

And I was bred in pious bed, Brought up to be good: Respect yourself, my mother said, And rule your own mood. Fend for yourself while you're a may, And keep your own counsel, And pick at what the neighbours say As a bird picks at groundsel.

But Love said Nay to Watch and Pray When the birds were singing, And taught my heart a roundelay Like the bells a-ringing; And so blindfast I ran and cast My treasure on the gale— Would the storm-blast had snapt the mast Before I fared to sail!



II

i

Now that the Lord has open'd me The evil with the good, I am as one wise suddenly Who never understood. I see the shaping of my days From the beginning, When, a young child, I walkt the ways And knew nought of sinning.

I see how Nature ripen'd me Under sun and shower, As she ripens herb and tree To bud and to flower. As she ripens herb and tree Unto flowering shoot, So it was she ripen'd me That I might fruit.

I see—alas, how should I not, With all joy behind?— How that in love I was begot And for love design'd. Consentient, my mother lent, Blessing, who had been blest, That fount unspent, my nourishment, Which after swell'd my breast.

ii

I learned at home the laws of Earth: The nest-law that says, Stray not too far beyond the hearth, Keep truth always; And then the law of sip and bite: Work, that there may be some For you who crowd the board this night, And the one that is to come.

The laws are so for bird and beast, And so we must live: They give the most who have the least, And gain of what they give. For working women 'tis the luck, A child on the lap; And when a crust he learn to suck, Another's for the pap.

iii

I know 'tis true, the laws of Life Are holy to the poor: Cleave you to her who is your wife, Trust you in her store; Eat you with sweat your self-won meat, Labour the stubborn sod, And that your heat may quicken it, Wait still upon God.

Hallow with praise the wheeling days Until the cord goes slack, Until the very heartstring frays, Until the stiffening back Can ply no more; keep then the door, And, thankful in the sun, Watch you the same unending war Ontaken by your son.

iv

Who is to know how she does grow Or how shapes her mind? The seasons flow, not fast or slow, We cannot lag behind. The long winds blow, a tree lies low That was an old friend: The winter snow, the summer's glow— Shall these things have an end?

When I was young I used to think I should not taste of death; And now I faint to reach the brink, And grudge my every breath That streameth to the utter air Leaving me to my tears And outlook bare, with eyes astare Upon the creeping years.

v

That little old house that seems to stoop Yellow under thatch, Like a three-sided chicken-coop, Where, if you watch, You'll see the starlings go and come All a spring morn— Half of that is my old home Where I was born.

One half a little old cottage The five of us had, Five tall sisters in a cage With our Mother and Dad. Alice she was the eldest one, Then Mary, and then me, And then Fanny, and little Joan, The last-born was she.

Never a boy that liv'd to grow Did our mother carry; She us'd to wonder how she'd do With five great girls to marry. But once I heard her say to Dad, A chain of pretty girls Made out her neck the comelier clad Than diamonds or pearls.

vi

How we did do on Father's money Is more than I can tell: There was the money from the honey, And Mother's work as well; For she did work with no more rest Than the buzzing bees, And the sight I knew and lov'd the best Was Mother on her knees.

When we were fed and clean for school, Out Mother goes, Rinsing, rubbing, her hands full Of other people's clothes. If there's one thought above another Sets my heart singing, It's thinking of my little sweet Mother, Her arms full of linen.

And yet she rul'd her house and all Us girls within it; There was no meal but we could fall To it at the minute; Thing there was none, said, thought or done, But she must know it, Nor any errand to be run But she made us go it.

She with her anxious, watchful glance, Blue under her glasses, Was meat and drink and providence To us five lasses. Out she fetcht from hidden stores White frocks for Sundays, And always nice clean pinafores Against school, Mondays.

She and Dad were little people, But most of us were tall, And I shot up like Chichester steeple; Fan, she was small. You never saw a kinder face Or met with bluer eyes: If ever there was a kissing-case On her mouth it lies.

vii

When I was old enough for skipping My school days began; By Mary's side you'd see me tripping— I was baby then. A B C and One-two-three Were just so much Greek; But I could read, it seems to me, As soon as I could speak.

Before I knew how fast I grew I was the tallest there; Before my time was two-thirds thro' I must plait my hair; Before our Alice took a place And walkt beside her fancy, I had on my first pair of stays And saw myself Miss Nancy.

And then goodbye to form and desk And sudden floods of noise When fifteen minutes' fun and frisk Make happy girls and boys. As shrill as swifts in upper air Was our young shrillness: 'Twas joy of life, 'twas strength to fare Broke the morning stillness.

I see us flit, as here I sit With wet-fring'd eyes, And never rime or reason to it— Like a maze of flies! The boys would jump and catch your shoulder Just for the fun of it— They tease you worse as you grow older Because you want none of it.

I hear them call their saucy names— Mine was Maypole Nance; I see our windy bickering games, Half like a dance; The opening and closing ring Of pinafored girls, And the wind that makes the cheek to sting Blowing back their curls!

There in the midst is Sally Waters, As it might be I, With the idle song of Sons and Daughters Drifting out and by Sons and daughters! Break, break, Heart, if you can— How have they taught us treat sons and daughters Since I began?

viii

There is a bank that always gets The noon sun full; There we'd hunt for violets After morning school. White and blue we hunted them In the moss, and gave them, Dropping-tir'd and short in stem, To Mother. She must have them.

Primrose-mornings in the copse, Autumn berrying Where the dew for ever stops, And the serrying, Clinging shrouds of gossamers Glue your eyes together; Gleaning after harvesters In the mild blue weather—

Life so full of bud and blossom, Fallen like a tree! Who gave me a woman's bosom— And who has robb'd me?



III

i

When from the folds the shepherd comes At the shut of day, The fires are lit in valley homes, The smoke blue and grey— So still, so still!—hangs o'er the thatch; So still the night falls, My love might know me at the latch By my heart-calls.

And hear you me, my love, this night Where Grief and I are set? And look you for the beacon light, And can you see it yet? Or is the sod too deep, my love, Which they piled over you? Or are you bound in sleep, my love, Lying in the dew?

ii

When I was done with schooling days, Turn'd sixteen, My mother found me in a place My own bread to win. I had not been a month in place, A month from the start, When there show'd grace upon my face That smote a man's heart.

Tho' I was young and full of play, As full as a kitten, I knew to reckon to a day When his heart was smitten. You'll pick my logic all to holes, But here's my wonder: It is that God should knit two souls, And men tear them asunder.

For we were knit, no doubt of it, I as well as he; I peered in glass, my eyes were lit After he'd lookt at me. I knew not why my heart was glad, Or why it leapt, but so 'tis, The sharpest, sweetest pang I've had Was when he took notice.

And 'tis not favour makes a lad To a girl's mind, But 'tis himself makes good of bad, Or her stone-blind. And men may cheer at tales of wars, But every girl knows What makes her eyes to shine like stars And her face a rose.

iii

No word he said, but turned his head After he'd lookt at me; I coloured up a burning red, Setting the cloth for tea. The board was spread with cakes and bread For farmer in his sleeves, For mistress and the shepherd Ted; They talkt of hogs and theaves—

But nothing ate I where I sat, So bashful as I was, But kept my eyes upon my plate And pray'd the minutes pass. Tic-toc, tic-toc from great old clock, The long hand did creep; And every stroke in my heart woke Nature out of her sleep.

So once, they tell, did Gabriel Name a young Maid For honour and a miracle, And few words she said; But things have changed a wondrous deal Since she was nam'd, If to her room she did not steal As if she were asham'd;

And there upon her bed to sit Astare, as I guess, Watching her fingers weave and knit, Bedded in her dress, A-thinking thoughts in her young mind Too wild for tears to gain, As when the roaring North-West wind Gives no time to the rain.

iv

Give thanks, you maids, that there's your work To keep your heart and head From thoughts that lurk in them who shirk Their daily round to tread. But she goes bold who feels the hold And colour of her love Laid on her task like water-gold From the lit sky above.

v

I rose with early morning light, The meadows grey with rime, To set the kitchen fire, and dight The room for breakfast-time; Or make the beds, or rinse and scour, And all the while A singing heart, a face aflower, And secret smile.

So 'twas with me week in, week out, And no more to be said; A moment's look, a hint of doubt, A half-turn of the head. I had my hands as full as full, And full of work was he— But I learn'd in another school After he'd lookt at me.

vi

In summer time of flowers and bees And flies on the pane, Before the sun could gild the trees Or set afire the vane, Down I must go upon my knees, Or ply the showering mop; Then feed the chicken, ducks and geese, And milk the last drop.

On winter mornings dark and hard, White from aching bed, There were the huddled fowls in yard All to be fed. My frozen breath stream'd from my lips, The cows were hid in steam; I lost sense of my finger-tips And milkt in a dream.

My drowsy cheek fast to her side, The pail below my arm, My thought leapt what might me betide, And soon I was warm. For that gave me a beating heart And made me hot thro', As when you reckon, with a start, Someone speaks of you.

vii

And all my years of farm-service There was no dismay, But men and maids knew nought amiss With their work or play; But grew amain like tree or beast, Labouring out their lives Till sap and milk fill'd spine and breast, And ripen'd men and wives.

What call had we to think of war, We growing things? What need had we to reckon o'er Misdoubts or threatenings? A soldier-lad in his red coat Show'd up then as he past Like a lamplighted fishing-boat Lonely in the vast.

An aeroplane in middle sky Might bring us to our doors, To see her like a dragon-fly Droning as she soars. Long before you see her come You can hear her throbbing, Far, far away like a distant drum, Near, like a thresher sobbing.

Ah, in those days of wonderment, Wonder and delight, No thought we spent what murder meant, Horror in the night; Or how a hidden dreadful plan Like a fingering weed Was growing up in the mind of man From a fungus-seed!



IV

i

Out of the clear how shrewdly blows The North-West wind! Free as he goes, how brave he shows, The sun seems blind! The shadows fleet upon the grass Where the kestrels hover— What leagues of sorrow they must pass Before they shroud my lover!

Half-naked now, confronting cold, The tall trees shiver, Each with its pool of pallid gold Draining down to the river. 'Tis now when fret of winter wet Warns the year she is old, And she casts robe and coronet, That I would loosen hold.

ii

Our lives creep on to change at last, And change is sudden coming; Rooted you see yourself and fast, And then be sent roaming. When I was come to twenty years, Home for a spell, Mother she brought a flush of tears With what she had to tell.

There was a fine new place for me Forty miles away— And where my dream of what might be One fine day? The farmer's wife she kiss'd me kindly When I was paid; But Ted and I said Goodbye blindly, And no more said.

No word between us of the thought That fill'd four years, No fond look caught by eyes well taught, Tho' thick with tears! 'Twas Goodbye, Nance, and Goodbye, Ted, And just a clasp of the hand: Maybe I'll write, he might have said For me to understand.

But poor people have need to work Whether merry or sad, Whatever groping thought do lurk, Whatever dreams they've had! I went my way and he kept his, I to the county town, He in a row of cottages Below the hump-backt down.

iii

A town-bred girl, her hair in curl And apron edged with lace, She took me in, my head awhirl, To my new place. And there the five of us must hive In that warm shutter'd house, And keep our honesty alive With none to counsel us.

The master and the mistresses, What were they but strangers? 'Twas no part of their businesses To think of servants' dangers. They sneer at us, and we at them, Life sunders where the stairs are: But are the things that they condemn In us much worse than theirs are?

iv

'Twas busy now I had to be, And keep myself neat, Dress in my new black gown by tea, And streamer'd cap to it. The brisk young men were plenty enough, And talk about them plenty Among us maids! No other stuff Contents the tongue at twenty.

But Mother's words came back to me, Told when I was little: Mind you, the tongue's your only key, And what it guards is brittle. Love is the best; let go the rest, But hold him by the wing Until he's plumaged for the test— Then let him soar and sing.

I took no harm of all their talk— All talkt the same— Tho' more than one askt me to walk When my Sunday came; But I held fast the dream I'd had In the old farm, And saw myself beside my lad, My hand on his arm.

v

A year went on, and twenty-one Saw me discarded. They laught at me for constancy Ne'er to be rewarded. Then came a warm, still day of May And brought me a letter. I blusht so red, the cook she said, Lucky man to get her!

At half-past three he came for me; I dared not speak; But there was all he need to see Flaming in my cheek. What better has the best of us If kind Heaven grant her A glowing hearth, a little house, And a good man to want her?

In the soft shrouding clinging mist His strong arms held me. Our lips kept tryst, and long we kiss'd; His great love fill'd me. Sweet is the warmth of summer weather, But the best fire I know Is of two pair of lips together, Two hearts in one glow.

His love he told, that made me bold To look at him fairly, And see the burning blush take hold And colour him up rarely. Within his ply though caught was I, I backt a saucy head: "Oh, I was shy a year gone by— Your turn now," I said.

vi

Now would you prove the man I love As I saw him then? He was of them who're slow to move, One of your still men; One of your men self-communing Who see sheep on a hill, Ships out at sea or birds a-wing Where you see nil.

And what they see they seldom say, Holding speech to be vain; And yet so kin to earth are they They smell the coming rain. The earth can teach them without speech, They know as they are known— Why should they preach to the out-of-reach, Or counsel Nature's own?

He never was a man to talk, He was too wise; But things he'd see out on his walk Would blind another's eyes. But when it came to speak about them 'Twas another thing. He'd say, "What use is it to shout them? I want to sing!"

A smallish head, with jet-black hair And eyes grey-blue, You felt when'er he lookt you fair That he must be true; And when he smil'd his dear and shy way Sidelong his mouth, I always thought the sun fell my way And the wind South.

So I possest the knowledge blest That Love had held him fast Since the day our eyes confest, The first time and the last. "Since then," he said, "I never durst Look at you at all, For fear you'd see the hunger and thirst That kept me like a thrall.

vii

"'Twas when you went away and left Me and pain alone, By fortune's theft I stood bereft Of all I'd counted on— And this also, I ne'er could go On my shepherd life, Without I had the grace to woo You my loving wife.

"There was a fate, I do believe, Call'd us together; God visit me when'er you grieve Taking on my tether! But if we share with every creature That is quick and dead The call of nature unto nature, Then we two should wed.

"You are a beauty bred and born, As any one can see; You walk the world as if in scorn Of riches or degree. Your eyes call home the soft green tone Of the fainting sky When the eve-star keeps watch alone, And the summer is nigh.

"But 'tis your grave and constant mind Beckon'd me to you, Too good, too sweet, too fond, too kind, For me to be untrue. So trust me, lass, I'll not be false While I do live, For we two go where Nature calls, As I believe."

viii

Trust! Oh, I could have sunk to ground And lain under his feet! To have his praise was like a wound, Throbbing and deadly sweet; A wound that lets the welling blood Ebb from the vein, Merging the hurt in drowsihood, And hushing down the pain.

High destiny of Nature's calling, Foil'd and frustrate! Just then the evil tide was crawling To drown love in hate.



V

i

The meadows wear a cloth of gold, The trees wear green; Upon the down in dimpled fold The white lambs glean; Deep blue the skyey canopy, Soft the wind's fan: Behold the earth as it might be If man lov'd man!

Summer is soon; the next new moon Will see the yellowing wheat; Then will be harvest, Earth's high boon To them that work for it. The reapers swink, the heat-waves blink Across the drowsy fen— Now let hearts shrink from scythes that drink The blood of young men!

ii

As I stood at my open door I caught a flying word: Two strangers past, "Then that means war——" That was what I heard. 'Twas ten o'clock, a summer's day, My love on the hill. "Then that means war," I heard them say, And my heart stood still.

Life had been fair as I stood there, Eight weeks a bride; All of me laid warm and bare To my true love's side! Oh, who should dream of dark to-morrows And lonely weeping Whose steadfast joys and passing sorrows Lay in such a keeping?

There blew a chill wind from the hill Like a sea-breath; I shiver'd and a taint of ill Brought news of death. I blinkt my eyes as who should try To see what is to fear; The sun still shone high in the sky, But no warmth there.

Then far away I saw the sea A rippling golden sheet, And courage flowed again in me— What foe could break thro' it? And all about the fields and hedges, There when I was born, The river slipping through the sedges, And the growing corn—

A land of quiet tilth and cote, Of little woods and streams, Of gentle skies and clouds afloat, And swift sun-gleams! A land where knee-deep cattle keep, Chewing as they stand; Of hillsides murmurous with sheep— That is my native land!

They say you never love so dear As when you are to part; I know, to see my land so clear Cut me to the heart. What vain regrets to have lov'd so ill What was our all! What idle vows to love her still Though she should fall!

At stroke of noon my love came in Sharpset for his food; To see him was right sense to win, And feel safe and good. I was asham'd my fears to tell Lest he should think, "I thought I knew this woman well— But what makes her shrink?"

iii

The summer went her gracious way Of sun and lingering eves; I did my share to win the hay, The corn stood in sheaves Ere August month was fairly come; And when it was here I knew I carried in my womb The harvest of my dear.

iv

When I was sure I sat down quiet In the deep shade, And if my heart was all in riot I was not afraid. I did not think, nor say a pray'r, But lookt straight before me, And felt that Someone else stood there With hands held o'er me.

I thought His peace blest my increase; But then, as it seem'd, A shadow made my joy to cease, And the day was dimm'd. I shiver'd as if one a knife Should pull forth of the sheath. I think just then the Lord of Life Gave way to Him of Death.

As one bestead with gossamer-thread I pluckt at my eyes To catch again the glory shed, The hope, the load, the prize; But no more hands invisible Held like a shade o'er me, And there seem'd little enough to tell My husband momently.

The long forenoon my thought I held, And yet all thro' it The wires all England over shrill'd, And I never knew it! In a high muse I nurst my news All the forenoon, While England braced her limbs and thews To a marching tune.

v

I serv'd my love, when he came home, His meal; then on his knee I told him what I might become, And he kiss'd me; Then said, "Indeed, there may be need Of this little one, For many a woman's heart must bleed For wanting of a son.

"Since we awoke, the word is spoke, And if 'tis still right That English folk keep faith unbroke, Then must England fight." I could not look, nor think, nor ask What himself would do, But call'd to task my pride, to bask In what had warm'd me thro'.

Oh, he was grave and self-possest Under love's new crown! He took me in his arms to rest, And lay my head down A moment on his shoulder; then Went steady to his work. I knew what fate soe'er call'd men He was none to shirk.

Now I must play the helpful wife, And my new pride Be little worth to ease the strife That vext me in the side; For like a green and aching wound, Like a throbbing vein I felt this terror on the ground Of young men slain.

The swooning summer sun sank low, And all the dusty air Held breathlessly beneath his glow, So tir'd, so quiet and fair, I would not think that men could live In such glory a minute, To hate and grudge, to slay and reive Poor souls within it.

vi

I heard fond crying in my ears, Fond and vain regret For life as it had been ere tears Made women's eyes wet; I saw arise the host of stars And listen'd to their song; "O we have seen a thousand wars And woe agelong!

"What are you men, what are you women But a shifting sand? The tide of life is overbrimming— God holds not His hand; But all the evil with the good To His mill is grist; He serves his mood now with man's blood Who serv'd it once with beast."

So sang the stars. That night our love Burn'd at its holiest; For aught we knew the same might prove Our last in the nest. But from the bed my passion pled, O God, let us be! If woman's anguish her bestead, Then forsake not me!

vii

I dare not trace that watching space Of days, too short, too long— Too long to wear a patient face, Too short to wear a strong. I us'd to think I'd have him choose His duty and begone; And then, No, no, I dare not lose Him ere he take his son!

Too long, too short the days to wait, To plan and think and dread; And happy we whose poor estate Claims our work for our bread. Each day I went to scour and scrub As my mother us'd, Or stood before the washing-tub Where the linen sluiced.

And so my love with careful hand And careful eye Led his white flock about the land; And I must sigh, "There's no rebelling in a poor man's dwelling, The roof stoops to the blast; And no heart-swelling meets God's compelling, And what is cast is cast!"

viii

But as the tide crawls to his full Without your knowing, Invading rock and filling pool, Endlessly flowing; Lo, while you sit and look at it, Idle, little thinking, The flood is brimming at your feet, Lipping there and winking—

The very same the Great War grew; Like a flowing tide It spread its channels thro' and thro' The quiet countryside. One day you'd stop: a poster up, And Lord, how it glared! The next there'd be a very crop, And not a body stared.

And then the lorries flung along By ones and twos, and then In snaky line some twenty strong, Full of shouting men. They made me blench with noise and stench, But more, I do believe, To know them gaining inch by inch The earth whereby we live.

So faded fast the painted past Beneath the mist of war; One could not think life had been cast In sweet lines before. There was no list in that red mist For love or wholesome breath, But making rage our staple grist We ground the dust of death.

Our men held talk among themselves, But said little to we; And soon they went by tens and twelves Soldiers to be. I knew how 'twould be from the first, I think my heart could tell; I loved a man who never durst Not do well.

ix

How young, how gay they marcht away, All our village boys! Leaving us women here to pray, Drowning with their noise Misdoubt and eager mother-love, Hungry on the watch, As if they went to race and shove In a football match.

But my love chose in soberness Another way, his own; And God I bless that my distress Came suddenly down. A swift November night was falling In a windless air; I heard him indoors, heard him calling, And went, and he was there.

x

He stood still, and his gaze Was far off, and slow And quiet the words he says: "Nancy, I must go."

In my still heart's deep I gloried in the trust He handed me to keep, In his quiet "I must."

No more we said that night, But sat in the gloom; We sat without candle-light In our little room.

Handfast, like girl and boy, There we sat on, Hoarding our store of joy Against he were gone.

Handfast, like boy and girl, And my eyes they did fill; But my heart was in a whirl To have him there still.

'Twas when we were abed, And I against his heart, That I knew the great dread It would be to part.

Old sayings, that sounded new, Sweet, every broken word— "My Nancy, sweet and true, My pretty wild bird!"

I let him kiss me, but I Lay quite still in his arm: If I had started to cry God only knew the harm!

And if he thought me cool 'Twould make an easier going; But if he thought me cool 'Twas not for want of knowing.

Towards the twilight gray When my love was sleeping, I sat upright to pray, And heard the sparrows cheeping.

It was their fond love-twitter That broke my prayer down, Turn'd all my faith bitter, To set it by their own.

Their love-life to begin, And mine now—where? Their nest to win, Mine soon to be bare!

I lookt forth from my bed To the cold square of the light— Unto God I said, "Show me why men must fight,

"You, Who to each one say, Love you one another; You, Who bid women obey Husbands, and sons their mother;

"You, Who of me require To love what I cannot see, Milk and a heart of fire To nourish what may not be!

"Shall my milk be churn'd into gall, Or my blood freeze at the fount, And You make light of it all, And my love of little account?"

Then as I held my throat, God answer'd me by a bird, One long flourishing note, The bravest I ever heard;

And I turn'd where my love lay fast In his wholesome sleep; About him my arms I cast And found grace to weep.

He would do what was right, As I knew very well— Yes, but who made them fight, And turn'd our heaven to hell?

The more I listen the sighs, The mourning and the dearth, The deeper my heart cries Over this wounded earth.



VI

i

May the good King That guards like sheep Kings and shepherds all Send us quiet sleep!

Shepherds great and small Has He in hold; There need no danger Threaten field or fold.

Lowly in a manger That King was born Of maid undefiled On a winter's morn.

He lay a little child On His mother's knee; Three kings out of the East Came Him to see.

On a mother's breast Still did He lie: Said one king to the other, "Such once was I!"

Then said his brother, "Even thus, I trow, Once lay thy simplicity, But where is that now?"

ii

How many a woman's eyes are worn, Weeping a murder'd son! How many wish none they had borne To do as theirs have done! Who dares to see a mask of hate And snarling on the face Which she had pray'd to consecrate To honour for a space?

This high-flusht lad whom she has known Since as a new-born child He lay as soft as thistle-down, Or like an angel smil'd; Whom she has seen, a sturdy imp Tumble bare-breecht at play, Or nurst to health when, quiet and limp, Short-breath'd and flusht he lay;

Or shockhead boy, aburst with joy, Or gawky, ill-at-ease, All hot and coy, a hobbledehoy With laces round his knees— But hers, her own, with eyes that trust Hers for his better part— Ah, tiger-lust of War that thrust A hand to snatch that heart!

She hides her woe, and helps him go, She sits at home to pray; He tells her when he met the foe, But nothing of the way. She never knows the way, and who Would know it if she could, What in his fever-heat he do Of rage and dust and blood?

The lads go by, the colours fly, Drums rattle, bugles bray; We only cry, Let mine not die— No thought for whom he slay. But woman bares a martyr breast, And herself points the flame: Her son, a hero or a beast, Will never be the same.

iii

When forth my love to duty went I sought my old home, My few months' joy over and spent, And lean years to come. My mother blinkt her patient eyes; She said, It was to be. Was I less temperate or more wise To question her decree?

Was it for this, our clasp and kiss? For this end and no other That I was shapt to have increase, And call'd to be mother? Did God make o'er the power to soar On men, that they should sink? Did He outpour a flood of war And leave us on the brink?

Was't so He wove the robe of Love, To mock the lovely earth? Sees He, above, creation move To death, not birth? Go, thou dear head, for God is dead, And Death is our Lord: Between us, red, lies in the bed War, like a naked sword.

iv

O failing heart, accept your part, And thank the Lord, Who bound Your labour daily to the mart, Your service to the ground! Take to the mart your stricken heart, Tho' the chaffer graze it; Shrink not altho' the quick flesh smart— But meet pain and praise it!

v

He came to see me once again, Stiffen'd in his new buff: A few short hours compact of strain, Too hasty for love; For Love can never be confin'd, But asks eternity. To nurse the lov'd one in the mind The bond must first be free.

And he, he now serv'd otherwhere And could not be the same; To all the world my love was there And answer'd to his name; But not to me, oh, not to me The kisses of his lips Were as of old, but guardedly, Like sunlight in eclipse.

The moment came, I held him close, But had no word to say— Good-bye, sweetheart, Good-bye, Blush Rose: 'Twas his old way. Then in a hush which seem'd to rock Me like a leaf about, I heard the pulsing of the clock, Counting my dear life out.

And I am here, and you are, where? While the long hours go by, And on my eyes the glaze of care, And in my heart a cry. Bury my heart deep in the grave Where all its grace is hid: What other service should I have Than tend my lovely dead?

vi

Then waiting, watching, judging news, Then terror in the night— I used to start up with the dews All over me of fright. I dream'd of him on stormy seas; Then, in a woodland bare, I saw my love on hands and knees, With blood upon his hair.

Along the limits of the wood, A green bank full of holes, With lichen'd stumps which lean'd or stood Like crazy channel-poles: 'Twas there I saw my love's drawn face, A face of paper-white, Wherein just for a choking space His eyes shone burning bright;

Then faded, and an eyeless man He crawled along the wood, And from his hair a black line ran And broaden'd into blood. It was not horror of him wrong'd, It was not pity mov'd me; It was, those tortur'd eyes belong'd To one who'd never lov'd me.

That was my love in face and shape, That was my love in pain; But something told me past escape That not by him I'd lain. I sat and star'd into the night, And still most dreadfully I saw those two eyes burning white That never had seen me!

vii

Upon a wild March morn My husband went to France; The day my child was born His word came to advance.

'Twas on that very day When my life should be crown'd, As I lay in, he lay Broken upon the ground.

For my loss there was gain, But his precious blood Was shed to earth like rain Within the shatter'd wood.

Missing, the paper said, But my heart said, Nay. Missing! My man had been dead Before he went away!

viii

It never throve from the first, Mother, she seem'd to fear it; But her words were the worst: "Nancy, you'll never rear it."

Yet he took to the breast And I knew the great end Of women, to give their best, To spend and to spend.

But his great eyes stared Till he seemed all eyes, And more than I dared Meet looks so wise.

Wondering and darkly blue, Pondering and slow, They would look you thro' and thro', Then tire and let you go,

And fall back to vacancy, As if the poor thing plain'd, "Why was I not let be, And what have I gain'd?"

'Twas more than I could bear, I pray'd that he might die; And God must have heard my prayer, For he went with a little sigh:

A flutter, a murmur, a sigh Lighter than dawn wind— It was his soft Good-bye; And all my life lay behind.

I wonder if they were wise, Those three kings of the East Who offer'd gifts of price To the Child on a Girl's breast.

But if they were wise, their sons Have other counsel than they: The gifts they offer are guns, And the children's parents they slay.

ix

He went before my load was quicken'd, And I lay in alone. He was not there when baby sicken'd, Nor when it was gone. I walkt with Mother to the church, With Mother and Fan, My hard eyes ever on the search— Pity me who can!

The grief was bad enough to bear, So dreadfully to wean it; But to go home and leave it there, And he had never seen it—! It was a thing to thank God for That home for me was none; I knew before we reacht the door That my home life was done.

x

Now limpt or dragg'd about our street The wounded men in blue, Trailing the feet which had been fleet, Or crutching one for two; Like ghosts of men past out of ken, Pale and uncertain-eyed, Whose gaze would flicker out, and then Come back with hasty pride.

What they had seen they never told, Nor what they had done: I saw young lads turn'd suddenly old; I saw the blind in the sun Look up to pray, as if the blue Was shapt like a cross: There came back one my husband knew, Spoke kindly of my loss.

He told me how my love was dead; He was not the first! Broadcast our land the word of dread Told women the worst. They say, let love and light be given So we keep Liberty; But I say there is no more Heaven If men must so be free.

xi

Can it be own'd that kings were crown'd, Consecrate to such evil? God-appointed, by God anointed Only to play the devil! Their men to bind of the tiger kind, To bind and then to goad, Blundering, slavering, hot and blind, On murder's hollow road?

If kings are so, then let all go— Let my dear love cast down His lovely life, so we lay low The last to wear a crown. I'll look upon the steadfast stars, Patient and true and wise, And read in them the end of wars, As in my dead love's eyes.

O Lord of Life, for whom this earth Should image back Thy thought, Wherein the mystery of birth In Love like Thine be wrought, If pity stands with Thy commands, Grant a short breathing-space Ere men hold up their bloody hands Before Thy awful face.



Note

This poem is dramatic, and I am not to be supposed answerable for all that it expresses; nevertheless I think that my own convictions about aggressive war are very much those of my Village Wife. Of defensive war, of war to save the lives of our children, of war to save humanity itself, there cannot be two sane opinions: that is a pious duty forced upon us; but it becomes every day more inconceivable to me how men can engage in the other kind of war, and how, in particular, a people so provident as the German people could have hoodwinked themselves into believing that they could be better off by such a monstrous means as warfare has now become. They had behind them the experience of the Russians and Japanese; they had all about them the evidences of their forty years' commercial activity; they must have known, or at least their governors must have known, what kind of results might be looked for from modern armament—and yet they dared risk the dereliction of human morality, the cutting off of a generation of men, and their own national bankruptcy. Whether it was the madness of lust, or of pride, or of fear, it was a madness which has procured the greatest disaster of recorded time, and revealed a criminal folly in themselves which it will take more than two generations to efface. Indeed, German blood-lust will become one of the standing legends of History.

The Village Wife knows nothing of the Germans, however, and her reproaches strike at the heart of Mankind. So long as Mankind looks upon aggressive war as a reasonable, if ultimate, appeal, her reproaches will have force, and be deserved. They, or something like them (with the sanction of inspiration upon them) will, I believe, be the means of our redemption. As human nature still actually is, no League of Nations conceivable to us will be able to save us from war. Rend your hearts and not your armaments. Let us learn to look War in the face, and while the blood is cold, so that we may know what we are meaning to do. Let us put a moral taboo upon it, such as we have put upon parricide, or incest, or cannibalism. For certain, in those matters, the reason has put a sanction on the conscience. So will it in the matter of aggressive war. Side by side with that, as we now see, we must change the governance of nations. If those who do a nation's work are given their due share of that nation's government, war I firmly believe, will become a dark memory, a blotted cloud upon a past age. "Hundreds of years ago," it will one day be said to some wondering child, "men hired men to murder each other for the sake of their religion or their commerce. This they had done for thousands of years until at last, in the most dreadful of their wars, they killed or maimed a whole generation in the space of about four years. Then it was that men saw what they had been doing, and for a while the world was shamed, silent. That time of silence was long enough to turn the hearts of men."

I have put into the mouth of my Village Wife thoughts which she may never have formulated, but which, I am very sure, lie in her heart, too deep for any utterance but that of tears. If I know anything of village people I know this, that they shape their lives according to Nature, and are outraged to the root of their being by the frustration of Nature's laws and the stultification of man's function in the scheme of things. What the function of man is, what the power, what the dignity have been well paraphrased in these words:

"'Neither a fixed abode, nor a form in thine own likeness, nor any gift peculiar to thyself alone, have we given thee, O Adam, in order that what abode, what likeness, what gifts thou shalt choose may be thine to have and to possess. The nature allotted to all other creatures, within laws appointed by ourselves, restrains them. Thou, restrained by no narrow bounds, according to thy own free will, in whose power we have placed thee, shalt define thy nature for thyself. We have set thee midmost the world, that thence thou mightest more conveniently survey whatsoever is in the world. Nor have we made thee either heavenly or earthly, mortal or immortal, to the end that thou, being, as it were, thy own free maker and moulder, shouldst fashion thyself in what form may like thee best. Thou shalt have power to decline unto the lower or brute creatures. Thou shalt have power to be reborn unto the higher or divine, according to the sentence of thy intellect.' Thus to Man, at his birth, the Father gave seeds of all variety and germs of every form of life."

That is near enough to the Nature of Man for present purposes.

"Teach us man's worth, that we may know it, Who, being alone in power to lift Above his nature, sinks below it!"

BROADCHALKE, 7th July, 1918.

PRINTED IN ENGLAND BY THE WESTMINSTER PRESS 411a, HARROW ROAD, LONDON, W.9.

THE END