LVI THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



Some new Western men have written well. Robert J. C. Stead, 

 of Calgary, has given notable verses on "Kitchener", among others 

 in his volume "Kitchener and Other Poems". This dirge strikes the 

 chord of Empire: 



KITCHENER. 



Weep, waves of England, Nobler clay 



Was ne'er to nobler grave consigned ; 

 The wild waves weep with us today 



Who mourn a nation's master mind. 



We hoped an honored age for him, 



And ashes laid with England's great. 

 And rapturous music, and the dim 



Deep hush that veils our Tomb of State. 



But this is better. Let him sleep 



Where sleep the men who made us free. 

 For England's heart is in the deep 



And England's glory is the sea; 



One only vow above his bier — 



One only oath beside his bed — 

 We swear our flag shall shield him here 



Until the sea gives up its dead : 



Leap, waves of England. Boastful be. 



And fling defiance in the blast 

 For earth is envious of the Sea, 



Which shelters England's dead at last." 



James Mabon is a gentleman of Scottish birth who has lived a 

 number of years in Saskatchewan. His poetic grasp of Western war 

 problems is evident in 



HAYSEED. 



"Hayseed." That's what you called him, 

 With his overalls patched and worn. 

 And his get-up rather straggly, 

 And his buttons, somewhat forlorn. 



And he stooped a bit in his walking, 

 Had naught of the martial stride. 

 And there were marks on his forehead 

 That his thick locks could not hide; 



And his hands were hard and gnarled. 

 And you saw as he crossed the street. 

 That the binder twine and the laces 

 Were chums in the shoes of his feet; 



