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The Grey Company.
227

CLIX.

William Rolleston.

Close his fair volume of true word and deedFor the still hour when sorrow is aloneWith the beloved; when the heart has grownLess poignant for his parting, we shall needHis bland, sweet wisdom, sacrosanctest creedOf truth omnipotent above all throne,Or people, till the larger life be knownWherefor he scattered oft the earliest seed.Oh! Godlike charity for the oppressed,Clear spirit looking to the border goalWith eyes not politic, but shining farWith the upspringing rectitude of soul,Be here with us, still striving, from thy rest,Forget not in the glory of a star!

Hubert Church.

CLX.

The Grey Company.

O the grey, grey company Of the pallid dawn!O the ghostly faces, Ashen-like and drawn!The Lord’s lone sentinels, Dotted down the years,The little grey company Before the pioneers!
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