Raymond, or Life and death : with examples of the evidence for survival of memory and affection after death / by Sir Oliver J. Lodge.

  • Oliver Lodge
Date:
1916
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Raymond, or Life and death : with examples of the evidence for survival of memory and affection after death / by Sir Oliver J. Lodge. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    HE following poem was kindly sent me by Canon Rawnsley, in acknowledgement of a Memorial Card :— OUR ANGEL-HOST OF HELP IN MEMORY OF RAYMOND LODGE, Who fell in Flanders, 14 Sept. 1915 “His strong young body is laid under some trees on the road from Ypres to Menin[From the Memorial Card sent to friends.] ’Twixt Ypres and Menin night and day The poplar trees in leaf of gold Were whispering either side the way Of sorrow manifold, —Of war that never should have been. Of war that still perforce must be, Till in what brotherhood can mean The nations all agree. But where they laid your gallant lad I heard no sorrow in the air, The boy who gave the best he had That others good might share. For golden leaf and gentle grass They too had offered of their best To banish grief from all who pass His hero’s place of rest. There as I gazed, the guests of God, An angel host before mine eyes, Silent as if on air they trod Marched straight from Paradise. And one sprang forth to join the throng From where the grass was gold and green, His body seemed more lithe and strong Than it had ever been. I cried, “ But why in bright array Of crowns and palms toward the north And those white trenches far away, Doth this great host go forth ? ” He answered, “ Forth we go to fight To help all need where need there be. Sworn in for right against brute might Till Europe shall be free.” H. D. Rawnsley