DON told me that he loved me dear
Where down the range Whioola pours;
And when I laughed and would not hear
He flung away to fight the wars.
He flung away — how should he know
My foolish heart was dancin’ so?
How should he know that at his word
My soul was trillin’ like a bird?
He went out in the cannon smoke.
He did not seek to ask me why.
Again each day my poor heart broke
To see the careless post go by.
I cared not for their Emperors —
For me there was this in the wars;
My brown boy in the shell-clouds dim,
And savage devils killin’ him!
They told me on the field he fell,
And far they bore him from the fight,
But he is whole — he will be well
Now in a ward by day and night
A fair, tall nurse with slim, neat hands
By his white bedside smilin’ stands;
His brow with trailin fingertips
She soothes, and damps his fevered lips!
I know her not, but I can see
How blue her great eyes are, and hear
The cooin’ of her voice as she
Speaks gentle comfort to my dear;
With love as sweet as mother's care
She heals his wounds, she strokes his hair...
O God, could I but let him see
The hate of her consumin’ me!