Seager, Alexandrine – August 1916
August 4th 1916
Two years today, two weary war-wracked years,
Since it all began;
And the world’s peace was changed to blood and tears
By one mad murd’rous man
The clarion call of Empire sounded clear
Above war’s din and strife
Throughout her wide dominions far and near,
To men to guard her life.
Light-hearted boys, those in whose glad young veins
The fire of youth ran high –
The ardour that no power on earth restrains
Answered – and some to die
The craven critic croaked – “Ah, time will tell”
And time has told us true,
‘Tis said—“Why these Australians will take hell
Itself, and hold it too”
Till then ours was a land but little known,
Hid in the distance far;
Now to a wondering world our boys have shown
The men Australians are.
Where’er they’re fought, on Turkish soil or French.
The Anzacs stand supreme–
On rugged heights, or slippy, blood-soaked trench,
Like heroes of a dream
A dream, a memory, are many now–
Brave boys we’ve loved and lost;
But to the Empire’s need we all must bow.
Nor grudge nor count the cost
It, in the glowing flush of joyous youth,
At times some stepped aside,
That’s blotted out for ever in this truth–
They for their country – died.
Two years today; and still the war goes on
With never stop nor stay,
Until the greatest fight in hist’ry’s won
And then will come OUR DAY
