And right throughout the snow and frost 



He faced both shot and shell ; 

 Though unrelieved, he kept his post, 



And did his duty well. 

 By death on death the time was stained, 



By want, disease, despair ; 

 Like autumn leaves our army waned, 



But still the dog was there : 



He cheered us through those hours of gloom ; 



We fed him in our dearth ; 

 Through him the trench's living tomb 



Rang loud with reckless mirth ; 

 And thus, when peace returned once more, 



After the city's fall, 

 That veteran home in pride we bore, 



And loved him, one and all. 



With ranks re-filled, our hearts were sick, 



And to old memories clung ; 

 The grim ravines we left glared thick 



With death-stones of the young. 

 Hands which had patted him lay chill, 



Voices which called were dumb, 

 And footsteps that he watched for still 



Never again could come. 



Never again ; this world of woe 

 Still hurries on so fast : 

 1 80 



