Thomas Hardy - "Often When Warring" lyrics

Often when warring for he wist not what, An enemy-soldier, pa**ing by one weak, Has tendered water, wiped the burning cheek, And cooled the lips so black and clammed and hot; Then gone his way, and maybe quite forgot The deed of grace amid the roar and reek; Yet larger vision than loud arms bespeak He there has reached, although he has known it not. For natural mindsight, triumphing in the act Over the throes of artificial rage, Has thuswise muffled victory's peal of pride, Rended to ribands policy's specious page That deals but with evasion, code, and pact, And war's apology wholly stultified. 1915.