[Editor: This poem by L. E. Homfray, produced in a pamphlet format, was published in 1918.]
Unfaltering to the End.
By L. E. Homfray
Price 2d.
1/6 per doz.
Proceeds for A.I.F. Memorial
Further copies can be obtained from Miss Homfray, Lindfield.
Unfaltering to the End
May God the Father have thee in His keeping,
May God the Son be near thee to defend,
And may the Presence of the Holy Spirit
Preserve thy soul, unfaltering to the end.
And if, in some dark hour of fear or anguish,
Thy faith should waver, or thy courage fail,
Perchance an echo of our prayers unceasing
Shall nerve thine arm and bid thy strength prevail.
When far upon the distant field of battle,
Beyond the reach of home or well loved friend,
The benediction of God’s love sustain thee,
To speed thee on, unfaltering to the end.
In hours of pain, of weariness or weakness,
When hope is clouded by a dull despair,
May heavenly angels pierce the veil of darkness,
And through the lonely night, thy vigil share.
Farewell beloved! Into God’s good keeping
Thy body, soul and spirit we commend,
Assured that in the righteous cause of honor,
Thou shalt go forth — unfaltering to the end.
— L. E. Homfray.
D. S. Ford, Printer, 729 George Street, Sydney.
Source:
L. E. Homfray, Unfaltering to the End, Sydney: D. S. Ford (printer), [1918]
Editor’s notes:
This publication was printed as a 4-page pamphlet. The earliest located mention of this publication was in The Sunday Times (Sydney, NSW), 4 August 1918, p. 14.
A.I.F. = Australian Imperial Force; the First Australian Imperial Force was created in 1914 to fight in World War One, the Second Australian Imperial Force was created in 1939 to fight in World War Two
d. = a reference to a penny, or pennies (pence); the “d” was an abbreviation of “denarii”, e.g. as used in “L.S.D.” or “£sd” (pounds, shillings, and pence), which refers to coins used by the Romans, as per the Latin words “librae” (or “libra”), “solidi” (singular “solidus”), and “denarii” (singular “denarius”)
doz. = an abbreviation of “dozen”
His = in a religious context, and capitalized, a reference to God or Jesus
nerve = the power of control, endurance, fortitude, stamina, strength; to give courage, steadiness, or strength to oneself; to steel oneself, to prepare for something hard or unpleasant
shalt = (archaic) shall
thee = (archaic) you
thine = (archaic) your; yours
thy = (archaic) your
[Editor: Added a comma after “well loved friend”.]
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