I saw the spires of Oxford As I was passing by, The grey spires of Oxford Against the pearl-grey sky. My heart was with the Oxford men Who went abroad to die. The years go fast in Oxford, The golden years and gay, The hoary Colleges look down On careless boys at play. But when the bugles sounded war They put their games away. The left the peaceful river, The cricket-field, the quad, The shaven lawns of Oxford, To seek a bloody sod -- They gave their merry youth away For country and for God. God rest you, happy gentlemen, Who laid your good lives down, Who took the khaki and the gun Instead of cap and gown. God bring you to a fairer place Than even Oxford town. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PICTURES OF MEMORY by ALICE CARY SEVEN TIMES ONE [- CHILDHOOD. EXULTATION] by JEAN INGELOW A UTILITARIAN VIEW OF THE MONITOR'S FIGHT by HERMAN MELVILLE THE TRIUMPH OF LIFE by PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY |