Ten days, far down, these five drew painful breath,
And heard, at last, the strokes that hewed a way
Through the black wall; a race 'twixt strength and death,
Hunger and water waiting for their prey.
Ten days, above, the valley poured it's life,
Men, women and children, round the sodden grave,
To watch, with heart-sick hope, the stubborn strife
Betwixt men's power to bear, men's power to save.
Ten days, wide England through, the nation's heart
Hung on the struggle with one pulse, one breath,
Answering the wires, which told the yards that part
The savers from the sufferers - life from death.
Great strife in little space was theirs to wage;
That black wall their last foe; with poisonous flame,
Pent air let loose, and prisoned water's rage,
Still rising as salvation nearer came.
One side that wall, the life that ebbed away,
As inch by inch the cruel waters crept;
The other side, strong arms the pick that sway
In face of many deaths - till forth there leapt
The shout of victory, for life and strength
Had been too much for death; the five were won
From famine, water, fire, and clasped at length
Their savers' helping hands - the fight was done!
And England's heart, in common sympathy,
Uttered itself in burst of thankful prayer:
From throne and cottage rose one happy cry,
"WELL DONE!" as if all England gathered there.
And heard, at last, the strokes that hewed a way
Through the black wall; a race 'twixt strength and death,
Hunger and water waiting for their prey.
Ten days, above, the valley poured it's life,
Men, women and children, round the sodden grave,
To watch, with heart-sick hope, the stubborn strife
Betwixt men's power to bear, men's power to save.
Ten days, wide England through, the nation's heart
Hung on the struggle with one pulse, one breath,
Answering the wires, which told the yards that part
The savers from the sufferers - life from death.
Great strife in little space was theirs to wage;
That black wall their last foe; with poisonous flame,
Pent air let loose, and prisoned water's rage,
Still rising as salvation nearer came.
One side that wall, the life that ebbed away,
As inch by inch the cruel waters crept;
The other side, strong arms the pick that sway
In face of many deaths - till forth there leapt
The shout of victory, for life and strength
Had been too much for death; the five were won
From famine, water, fire, and clasped at length
Their savers' helping hands - the fight was done!
And England's heart, in common sympathy,
Uttered itself in burst of thankful prayer:
From throne and cottage rose one happy cry,
"WELL DONE!" as if all England gathered there.
