of England's Army has never been known as a blunderer."




A CHARGE IN THE DARK

By O.C.A. CHILD.


Out of the trenches lively, lads!
Steady, steady there, number two!
Step like your feet were tiger's pads--
Crawl when crawling's the thing to do!

Column left, through the sunken road!
Keep in touch as you move by feel!
Empty rifles--no need to load--
Night work's close work, stick to steel!

Wait for shadows and watch the clouds,
When it's moonshine, down you go!
Quiet, quiet, as men in shrouds,
Cats a-prowl in the dark go slow.

Curse you, there, did you have to fall?
Damn your feet and your blind-bat eyes!
Caught in the open, caught--that's all!
Searchlights! slaughter--we meant surprise!