William Henry Ogilvie - War Heel!

Thrusters are steadying; hounds at a loss,
Checked at the stile leading into the lane,
Feel for it forward and feather across,
Keen to recover their quarry again.
Horsemen sit silently watching the pack;
Nothing is heard but the clinking of steel,
Then a low whimper-one hound running back-
‘ 'War' heel, there! 'War' heel!'
Life's but a heart-stirring hunt at the best.
Checked by old memories, bid them begone!
Fling to the front with a laugh and a jest,
All that you seek for is for'ard and on !
Never look backward and never repine,
Keep with the pack as they scatter and wheel,
Turn from the years that have trampled the line!

'War' heel, there! 'War' heel!'

William Henry Ogilvie

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