Seager, Alexandrine – January 1915

‘Egypt’

They don’t pretend they’re plaster saints—but, then, are you or I ?
And we mustn’t look a gift horse in the mouth;
Nor does it do to criticise when standing idly by
Here in peace and safety in the Sunny South.

About two per cent., they tell us—very little, after all,
When we take into account the state of things.
Among those at home I wonder if the wasters count as small
As out there beside the dead Egyptian Kings.

To step aside is human; let us not, then harshly judge
The lads who’ve lost their heads while far away.
It is easy to keep straight if from home we never budge—
No one ever yet got lost who didn’t stray.

But the gallant boys who left us in response to Empire’s call—
They the “scallywags” outnumber tens to one;
Their shining honours gleaming o’er the one or two that fall,
And who sees pale candles ’neath a blazing sun?

January 26th, 1915.