The Grand Old Duke of York
Child Soldiers - Going Forth
Young boys in their pajamas are boldly going forth to fight imaginary
wars in this illustration. The position of the child on the rocking horse
at the top of the stairs indicates that he is leading his troops into
battle with head and sword raised high. The other boys are striding up
the wooden hill of the stairs to join in the fray. The one at the top
of the stairs is clearly ready for action, possibly hoping to exchange
his paper hat for the feathered one and the prize position on the horse.
The third boy is positioned lower down on the stairs and seen beneath
the legs of the horse with an unreadable facial expression that makes
his role in this drama less certain.
On the adjacent page to the right are silhouette images of more realistic
soldiers marching up and off into the distance.
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