[Illustration: _New Hand_. "Flies seem pretty awful out here,
Corporal."

_Hardened Campaigner_. "Wot flies?"]

* * * * *

ON VIMY RIDGE.

_TO B.S.B., JULY 11TH_.

On Vimy Ridge I sit at rest
With Loos and Lens outspread below;
An A.D.C.--the very best--
Expounds the panoramic show;
Lightly I lunch, and never yet
Has quite so strong an orchestration
Supplied the music while I ate
My cold collation.

Past Avion through the red-roofed town
There at our feet our white line runs;
Fresnoy's defences, smoking brown,
Shudder beneath our shattering guns;
Pop-pop!--and Archie's puffs have blurred
Some craft engaged to search the Bosch out--
I hold my breath until the bird
Signals a wash-out.