THE RED PATROL

He stands in the porch of the World —

( Why should the door be shut? )

The grey wolf waits at his heel,

( Why is the window barred? )

Wild is the trail from the Kimash Hills,

The blight has fallen on bush and tree,

The choking earth has swallowed the streams,

Hungry and cold is the Red Patrol —

( Why should the door be shut? )

The Scarlet Hunter has come to bide —

( Why is the window barred? )

He waits at the threshold stone —

( Why should the key-hole rust? )

The eagle broods at his side,

( Why should the blind be drawn? )

Long has he watched and far has he called —

The lonely sentinel of the North —

“Who goes there?” to the wandering soul

Heavy of heart is the Red Patrol —

( Why should the key-hole rust? )

The Scarlet Hunter is sick for home,

( Why should the blind be drawn? )

Heavy of heart is the Red Patrol —

( Why should the key-hole rust? )

The Scarlet Hunter is sick for home,

( Why should the blind be drawn? )

Hungry and cold is the Red Patrol —

( Why should the door be shut? )

The Scarlet Hunter has come to bide,

( Why is the window barred? )