ON Calais Sands the gray began, br Then rosy red above they gray; br The morn with many a scarlet van br Leaped, and the world was glad with May! br The little waves along the bay br Broke white upon the shelving strands; br The sea-mews flitted white as they br On Calais Sands! br br On Calais Sands must man with man br Wash honor clean in blood to-day; br On spaces wet from waters wan br How white the flashing rapiers play,— br Parry, riposte! and lunge! The fray br Shifts for a while, then mournful stands br The Victor: life ebbs fast away br On Calais Sands! br br On Calais Sands a little space br Of silence, then the plash and spray, br The sound of eager waves that ran br To kiss the perfumed locks astray, br To touch these lips that ne’er said “Nay,” br To dally with the helpless hands, br Till the deep sea in silence lay br On Calais Sands! br br Between the lilac and the may br She waits her love from alien lands; br Her love is colder than the clay br On Calais Sands!br br Andrew Langbr br