The Oxford Thrushes + 

February, 1917 + 

I never thought again to hear + 

The Oxford thrushes singing clear, + 

Amid the February rain, + 

Their sweet, indomitable strain. + 

A wintry vapor lightly spreads + 

Among the trees, and round the beds + 

Where daffodil and jonquil sleep; + 

Only the snowdrop wakes to weep. + 

It is not springtime yet. Alas, + 

What dark, tempestuous days must pass, + 

Till England’s trial by battle cease, + 

And summer comes again with peace. + 

The lofty halls, the tranquil towers, + 

Where Learning in untroubled hours + 

Held her high court, serene in fame, + 

Are lovely still, yet not the same. + 

The novices in fluttering gown + 

No longer fill the ancient town; + 

But fighting men in khaki drest, + 

And in the Schools the wounded rest. + 

Ah, far away, ’neath stranger skies + 

Full many a son of Oxford lies, + 

And whispers from his warrior grave, + 

“I died to keep the faith you gave.” + 

The mother mourns, but does not fail, + 

Her courage and her love prevail + 

O’er sorrow, and her spirit hears + 

The promise of triumphant years. + 

Then sing, ye thrushes, in the rain + 

Your sweet indomitable strain. + 

Ye bring a word from God on high + 

And voices in our hearts reply. + 