Classic Poem

To A. W. B.

H ERE'S to you, gallant friend,
Gentle and brave,
You, who full fathom deep
Lie 'neath the wave.
You were a soldier still
Up to the last,
Doing your Captain's will
As in the past.

Not from a bullet's flight,
Not under arms,
But in the Ocean's night
Of wild alarms.
Calm in the midst of fears,
Taking command,
Courage! in spite of tears
For Fatherland.

We who have known you long,
Gallant and gay,
First in the dance and song,
Pleasure and play,
Knew, too, the valiant soul
That would stand by
(Women and children first!)—
English