CCXIII THE DESOLATE VALLEY FAR up among the forest-belted mountains, To wizard Kat their virgin tribute pay, A valley opens to the noontide ray, To where Umtóka tries to meet with him, Like a blue serpent gliding through the acacias dim. There, couched at night in hunter's wattled shieling, How wildly-beautiful it was to hear The elephant his shrill reveillé pealing, Like some far signal-trumpet on the ear! While the broad midnight moon was shining clear, As if that trump had woke Earth's old gigantic broods! Look round that vale! behold the unburied bones In moral death dark Afric's myriads lie; 'Our God is nigh!' Thomas Pringle. CCXIV ENGLAND IN SOUTH AFRICA (1899) ACROSS the streaming flood, the deep ravine, Earth and her elements protect the foe: His are the covered trench, the ambushed hill, The treacherous pit, the sudden secret blow, The swift retreat-but ours the conquering will. Against that will in vain the fatal lead, Vain is the stubborn heart, brute cunning vain: Strong in the triumphs of thy dauntless dead, Advance, Imperial Race, advance and reign! William John Courthope. CCXV FOR A GRAVE IN SOUTH AFRICA WE cheered you forth-brilliant and kind and brave, Under your country's triumphing flag you fell; It floats, true heart, over no dearer grave. Brave and brilliant and kind, hail and farewell! William Ernest Henley. CCXVI ON LEAVING TABLE BAY SUN-SHOWERED land! largess of golden light Canute's command; ah, not in vain! Backward the tides of savagery drew; A lost world leaping to the light and blue. In state the mountains greet an eve so fair, ... A long bright ripple to the land is roll'd. Haste thee and tell, tell of our love, with lips of gold, In soft sea-music tell! And thou, sweet bird, whose snowy wings have caught The universal glory, carry thou To that dear shore farewell-our hearts' farewell! Arthur Vine Hall. CCXVII THE RELIEF OF MAFEKING 'WELL done!' The cry goes ringing round the world, O'er land and sea, wherever pulse throbs fast Is theirs and ours: so dawn's bright flag unfurled O God! our Help, our Hope, our Refuge strong In certain trust whatever may betide, |