I was near the King that day. I saw him snatch 
And briskly scan the G.H.Q. dispatch. 
Thick-voiced, he read it out. (His face was grave.) 
`This officer advanced with the first wave, 

`And when our first objective had been gained,
`(Though wounded twice), reorganized the line: 
`The spirit of the troops was by his fine 
`Example most effectively sustained.? 

He gripped his beard; then closed his eyes and said, 
`Bathsheba must be warned that he is dead.
`Send for her. I will be the first to tell 
`This wife how her heroic husband fell.?