Suddenly into the still air burst thudding br And thudding and cold fear possessed me all, br On the gray slopes there, where Winter in sullen brooding br Hung between height and depth of the ugly fall br Of Heaven to earth; and the thudding was illness own. br But still a hope I kept that were we there going over br I; in the line, I should not fail, but take recover br From others courage, and not as coward be known. br No flame we saw, the noise and the dread alone br Was battle to us; men were enduring there such br And such things, in wire tangled, to shatters blown. br Courage kept, but ready to vanish at first touch. br Fear, but just held.