| George Herbert Clarke, ed. (1873–1953). A Treasury of War Poetry. 1917. |
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| 105. To an Old Lady Seen at a Guest-House for Soldiers |
| | | By Alexander Robertson |
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| QUIET thou didst stand at thine appointed place, | |
| There was no press to purchase—younger grace | |
| Attracts the youth of valour. Thou didst not know, | |
| Like the old, kindly Martha, to and fro | |
| To haste. Yet one could say, “In thine I prize | 5 |
| The strength of calm that held in Mary’s eyes.” | |
| And when they came, thy gracious smile so wrought | |
| They knew that they were given, not that they bought. | |
| Thou didst not tempt to vauntings, and pretence | |
| Was dumb before thy perfect woman’s sense. | 10 |
| Blest who have seen, for they shall ever see | |
| The radiance of thy benignity. | |
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