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Carroll Carstairs, Lieut., Grenadier Guards

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CARROLL CARSTAIRS

Lieut., Grenadier Guards

Death in France

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IF I should die while I am yet in France

Before the battle clouds have rolled away,

Give me to feel that death will but enhance

Life's secret vision on its passing day.

Grant then to me new, individual power

In reverie, whilst whimsically I trace

Thro' eager, breathless youth, each pulsing hour,

The light and shadow on its fading face.

And in death's soonest minute let me seek

Life heightened by new splendour, poise, surprise, New colour flushing deep its paling cheek, New wonder looking from its tired eyes. Time's brought a rare patine to old Romance— Death has an ancient dignity in France.

⁠France, November, 1916.

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The Lover's Mood

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I SAID a careless word, then miserably⁠

Repented, asked forgiveness in sweet rhyme;

Your face had clouded so, and suddenly

The day had grown a-weary ere her time.

Life and Death

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IF death should come with his cold, hasty kiss

Along the trench or in the battle strife,

I'll ask of death no greater boon than this:

That it shall be as wonderful as life.