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ON THE PORTRAIT OF A COLONEL; G.H.H., by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: When now at this stern depth and shade of soul
Last Line: This man's commanding trust will be my sight.
Alternate Author Name(s): Blunden, Edmund
Subject(s): Soldiers


WHEN now at this stern depth and shade of soul
I lift my eyes to that most honoured face,
And yearn towards that harmony and whole
Of soldier creed and act and pride of place,
The eye's shrewd humour, the lip's generous grace,
The stirring zest, the power to make and give,
I feel my youth awake afresh and live,
And bugled morning glows and climbs apace.

Some stubborn clouds of conscience stain that prime,
And chilly creeps the muttering breeze, regret;
But still this picture kindles coming time,
And bids me gird myself for crossroads yet
Where through the inhuman tempestings of night
This man's commanding trust will be my sight.





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