Ivor Gurney -  Scots
Channel: PoetryProse Project
Date: 2015-04-03

SCOTS 

The boys who laughed and jested with me but yesterday, 
So fit for kings to speak to, so blithe and proud 

and gay. . . . 
Are now but thoughts of blind pain, and best hid away. . . . 
(Over the top this morning at the dawn's first grey.) 

O, if we catch the Kaiser his dirty hide to flay, 
We'll hang him on a tall tree his pride to allay. 
That will not bring the boys again to mountain and brae. . . . 
(Over the top this morning at the dawn's first grey.) 

To think— earth's best and dearest turned to red broken clay 
By one devil's second ! What words can we say ? 
Or what gift has God their mothers' anguish to repay? . . . 
(Over the top this morning at the first flush of day.)