Talk, if you will, of hero deed, Of clash of arms and battle wonders; But prate not of your Christian creed Preached by the cannon's murderous thunders. And if your courage needs a test, Copy the pagan's fierce behavior; Revel in bloodshed east and west, But speak not with it of the Saviour. The Turk may wage a righteous war In honor of his martial Allah: But Thor and Odin live no more— Dead are the Gods in our Valhalla. Be what you will, entire and free, Christian or Warrior—each can please us; But not the rank hypocrisy Of war-like followers of Jesus. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...IN GRANTCHESTER MEADOWS; ON HEARING A SKYLARK SING by GEORGE SANTAYANA DISCORDANTS: 1 by CONRAD AIKEN F. DE SAMARA TO A.G.A. by EMILY JANE BRONTE OLD SUSAN by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE DICKENS IN CAMP by FRANCIS BRET HARTE |