Читать книгу The Laughing Girl - Chambers Robert William - Страница 1

Here's a pretty tale to tell

All about the beastly boche —

How the Bolsheviki fell

Out of grace and in the wash!

– How all valiant lovers love,

How all villains go to hell,

Started thither by a shove

From the youth who loved so well,

Virtue mirrored in the glass

Held by his beloved lass.

He who grins in clown's disguise

Often hides an aching heart —

Sadness, sometimes worldly-wise,

Dresses for a motley part —

Cap, and bells to cheat the ears,

Chalk and paint to hide the tears

Lest the world, divining pain,

Turn to gape and stare again.

You who read but may not run

Where the bugles summon youth,

You who when the day is done

Ponder God's eternal Truth

Ere you fold your hands to rest,

Sheltered from the fierce huns' ruth,

Here within the guarded West

Safe from swinish tusk and tooth

Laugh in God's name, if you can! —

Serving so the Son of Man.

Gorse is growing, poppies bloom

Where our bravest greeted Christ.

Is His dwelling, then, the tomb?

Has the sacrifice sufficed?

What is all we have then worth

In Thy sight, Lord, in Thy sight?

Take our offered heart-sick mirth —

Let our laughter fight Thy fight.