182 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



Christmas Greeting. 



Back! we are back from the frontier lands, 



Where the greatest game of the world is played, 

 Where men take their lives in their reckless hands, 



Play hazard with Death and are undismayed. 



We are back from the mine and the railway grade 

 To our island home mid the orchard trees, 



Each to his merry Canadian maid — 

 Peace and goodwill to you over the seas. 



We have seen the surf upon Arctic strands, 



Have tickled Earth's ribs with a miner's spade. 

 Washed gold at Nome from the frozen sands 



Where mammoth and aurochs lie undecayed ; 



Back in our overalls tattered and frayed 

 To kneel with our girls on our bended knees, 



Praying the prayer that the angels prayed — 

 Peace and goodwill to you over the seas. 



We have done the work which the Race demands, 

 Have worked for a wage which cannot be paid, 

 Contented, if only She understands 



That 'twas not for a dole of fame or trade 

 - Alone that we cleared, that the rails were laid, 

 But just for Her folk, whom such labour frees, 



Giving room to breathe in the homes we made — 

 Peace and goodwill to you over the seas. 



L'envoi. 



Sire! if political critics upbraid, 



As if we forsooth had not paid our fees 

 To share in the Empire our fathers swayed — 



Point to the world you rule over the seas. 



