| George Herbert Clarke, ed. (1873–1953). A Treasury of War Poetry. 1917. |
| |
| 75. Retreat |
| | | By Wilfrid Wilson Gibson |
| |
| |
| BROKEN, bewildered by the long retreat | |
| Across the stifling leagues of southern plain, | |
| Across the scorching leagues of trampled grain, | |
| Half-stunned, half-blinded, by the trudge of feet | |
| And dusty smother of the August heat, | 5 |
| He dreamt of flowers in an English lane, | |
| Of hedgerow flowers glistening after rain— | |
| All-heal and willow-herb and meadow-sweet. | |
| |
| All-heal and willow-herb and meadow-sweet— | |
| The innocent names kept up a cool refrain— | 10 |
| All-heal and willow-herb and meadow-sweet, | |
| Chiming and tinkling in his aching brain, | |
| Until he babbled like a child again— | |
| “All-heal and willow-herb and meadow-sweet.” | |
| |
|
|
|
