| George Herbert Clarke, ed. (1873–1953). A Treasury of War Poetry. 1917. |
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| 149. A Mother’s Dedication |
| | | By Margaret Peterson |
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| DEAR son of mine, the baby days are over, | |
| I can no longer shield you from the earth; | |
| Yet in my heart always I must remember | |
| How through the dark I fought to give you birth. | |
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| Dear son of mine, by all the lives behind you; | 5 |
| By all our fathers fought for in the past; | |
| In this great war to which your birth has brought you, | |
| Acquit you well, hold you our honour fast! | |
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| God guard you, son of mine, where’er you wander; | |
| God lead the banners under which you fight; | 10 |
| You are my all, I give you to the Nation, | |
| God shall uphold you that you fight aright. | |
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