I war against the folly that is War, The sacrifice that pity hath not stayed, The Great Delusion men have perished for, The lie that hath the souls of men betrayed: I war for justice and for human right, Against the lawless tyranny of Might. A monstrous cult has held the world too long: The worship of a Moloch that hath slain Remorselessly the young, the brave, the strong,— Indifferent to the unmeasured pain, The accumulated horror and despair, That stricken Earth no longer wills to bear. My goal is @3peace,@1—not peace at any price, While yet ensanguined jaws of Evil yawn Hungry and pitiless: Nay, peace were vice Until the cruel dragon-teeth be drawn, And the wronged victims of Oppression be Delivered from its hateful rule, and free! When comes that hour, resentment laid aside, Into a ploughshare will I beat my sword; The weaker Nations' strength shall be my pride, Their gladness my exceeding great reward; And not in vain shall be the tears now shed, Nor vain the service of the gallant dead. I war against the folly that is War, The futile sacrifice that nought hath stayed, The Great Delusion men have perished for, The lie that hath the souls of men betrayed: For faith I war, humanity and trust; For peace on earth,—a lasting peace, and just! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FESTOONS OF FISHES by ALFRED FRANCIS KREYMBORG THE RUBAIYAT, 1879 EDITION: 68 by OMAR KHAYYAM MONNA INNOMINATA, A SONNET OF SONNETS: 8 by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI INSOMNIA by EDITH MATILDA THOMAS THE SORROW OF LOVE (1) by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS LET ME FORGET by OMA CARLYLE ANDERSON TO MRS. PRIESTLEY, WITH SOME DRAWINGS OF BIRDS AND INSECTS by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD |