Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, WAR WITH CHILE, by EDNA DEAN PROCTOR


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

WAR WITH CHILE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: War with chile? Just as soon
Last Line: Let the godlike way be hers!
Alternate Author Name(s): Dean
Subject(s): Chile; South America; War


WAR with Chile? Just as soon
At the radiant hour of noon
Should the sun vie with the moon!
Should the moon in heaven's azure
With the stars her brightness measure!
Bombard Valparaiso? Lo,
How the startled craters glow!
How the peaks with horror heave!
Sea-winds up the gorges grieve,
And the condor to the sky
Screams this Old-World cruelty!

What! The Great Republic deign
Thus the glory to maintain
Of her high, effulgent reign?
Thus, this year of jubilee,
Dim her flag on shore and sea?
She, the light of all the Band
Vowed to Freedom, let her hand
Strike her young, impetuous neighbor
Madly down with war's dread sabre,
While the nations hardly smother
Scorn of how we love each other?

No! The Godlike way be hers! —
Generous, patient, till she stirs
Even her foes to worshippers
Seeing clear the soul of good
In our storied Sisterhood.
To the winds be vengeance cast!
Let the war-cry be the last! —
Guns be manned nor sails be spread
Till the day of peace has fled.
Glory, right alone confers —
Let the Godlike way be hers!





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