187G RETURN OF THE SLEDGE JOURNEYS. 49 



Welcome home to the wished-for rest, 

 Traveller to North, and traveller to West ! 

 Welcome back from bristling floe, 

 Frowning cliff, and quaking snow ! 

 Nobly, bravely, the work was done ; 

 Inch by inch was the hard fight won : 

 Now the toilsome march is o'er — 

 Welcome home to our tranquil shore ! 



Rough and rude is the feast we bring ; 



Rougher and ruder the verse we sing. 



Not rough, not rude, are the thoughts that rise 



To choke our voices and dim our eyes, 



As we call to mind that joyous sight 



On an April morning cold and bright, 



When a chosen band stepped boldly forth 



To the unknown West and the unknown North ; 



And we from our haven could only pray — 



6 Grod send them strength for each weary day ! ' 



He heard our prayer — He made them strong — 



He bore their stalwart limbs along ; 



Planted their sturdy footsteps sure ; 



Grave them courage to endure. 



Taught them, too, for His dear sake, 



Many a sacrifice to make : 



By many a tender woman's deed 



To aid a brother in his need. 



And safe for ever shall He keep 

 In His gentle hand the two who sleep. 

 His love shall quench the tears that flow 

 For the buried dear ones under the snow T . 

 And we, who live and are strong to do — 

 His love shall keep us safely, too : 

 Shall tend our sick, and soothe their pain, 

 And bring them back to health again. 

 And the breath of His wind shall set us free, 

 Through the opening ice to the soft green sea. 

 VOL. II. E 



