1914-10-07tt

Hamilton’s poetic reactions to World War One were mixed in October 1914, The fervent patriotism of the previous August had been tempered, but not eliminated by the events in Western Europe, particularly the carnage, destruction and slaughter in Belgium and France.

Two poems printed in the Hamilton Spectator, both during October, 1914.

 

Destruction of Rheims Cathedral

 

          Mass of debris and crumbling walls,

          Are all that of thee now remains:

No light through thy rose window falls,

Thou lovely gem of ancient Rheim.

 

Thy façade, one of nobles art,

Was by medieval sculptors wrought;

And pilgrims came from every part,

And inspiration from thee sought.

 

Nor sought in vain; for none beheld

Thy beauty with a soul unmoved,

Who thought on earth, or hell, there dwelled

Such vandals as the Germans proved?

 

Where’er this blighting scourge has passed,

It left behind rain and pain;

Nor will this shameful crime be last,

Of those who fired fair Louvain.

 

Not even Red Cross flags could save

The sacred place from shot and shell;

And wounded soldiers, in the nave,

Were buried when the rain fell.

 

In the culture you’d impose

‘Gainst semi-barbarous Muscovite?

Do you, who fight like Huns, suppose

The world such culture will invite?

 

Your acts, disgraceful e’en to hordes,

With no pretense to culture’s name,

Has placed upon the German swords

Foul blots repentance can’t redeem.

 

Curst be thou who inspired such waste;

Who brought upon thy hand such shame;

Thy awful crimes must soon be faced;

Thou human devil, king in name.

Bloodiest Moloch known to fame.

 

-      Constance Ward Harper.

Hamilton, September 24, 1914.

 

                   (printed in October 3, 1914 edition of the Hamilton Spectator.)

 

 

          Tommy Atkins Is There

 

                   What word comes up from the war front?

                     What’s the news of the fight?

                   Is the safety of England guarded?

                     May I sleep in that faith tonight?

                   I know that the men of Britain

                     Will always do their share;

                   But what do you hear from the front today?

  -“Tommy Atkins is there.”

 

But the hosts of the foe are unnumbered;

  They come like the waves of the sea;

The nations wither before them:

  Kings look upon them and flee,

 Their legions are armed with thunder;

  Their banners affront the air;

The world cannot before them

  -“Tommy Atkins is there.”

 

Our foes are fiends incarnate;

  There are fierce and fell;

They kill the child with the mother;

  They hunt with the hounds of hell.

They burn, they ravage, they slaughter;

  No living thing they spare.

From such, ah! Who shall save us?

  -“Tommy Atkins is there.”

 

Tommy Atkins is there, old father.

  He is brave and true and strong.

He stands in the might of England;

  He stands between you and wrong.

Go back to your fireside, father;

  Sleep without fear or care.

Your home and your country are guarded;

   Tommy Atkins is there.

-      A. T. FREED

Hamilton. October 3, 1914.

(printed in the October 7, 1914 edition of the Hamilton Spectator.)