The Children

These were our children who died for our lands: they were dear in our sight.
??We have only the memory left of their home-treasured sayings and laughter.
??The price of our loss shall be paid to our hands, not another’s hereafter.
Neither the Alien nor Priest shall decide on it. That is our right.
??But who shall return us the children?

At the hour the Barbarian chose to disclose his pretences,
??And raged against Man, they engaged, on the breasts that they bared for us,
??The first felon-stroke of the sword he had long-time prepared for us —
Their bodies were all our defence while we wrought our defences.

They bought us anew with their blood, forbearing to blame us,
Those hours which we had not made good when the Judgment o’ercame us.
They believed us and perished for it. Our statecraft, our learning.

Delivered them bound to ............