Siegfried Sassoon (1886–1967). Picture-Show. 1920.

15. Devotion to Duty

I WAS near the King that day. I saw him snatch

And briskly scan the G.H.Q. dispatch.

Thick-voiced, he read it out. (His face was grave.)

‘This officer advanced with the first wave,

‘And when our first objective had been gained,

‘(Though wounded twice), reorganized the line:

‘The spirit of the troops was by his fine

‘Example most effectively sustained.’

He gripped his beard; then closed his eyes and said,

‘Bathsheba must be warned that he is dead.

‘Send for her. I will be the first to tell

‘This wife how her heroic husband fell.’