Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE SONG THAT SHALL ATONE, by KATHARINE LEE BATES


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THE SONG THAT SHALL ATONE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars
Last Line: That war is building is the throne of peace.
Subject(s): Peace; War


Ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled.

Wild Europe, red with Wodin's dreadful dew,
On fire with Loki's hate, more savage than
Beasts that we shame by likening to man,
Was it toward this the toiling centuries grew?

Was it for this the Reign of Love began
In that young heretic, that gracious Jew,
Whose race his followers flout the ages through?
Is Time at last a mere comedian,

Mocking in cap and bells our pompous boast
Of progress? Nay, we will not bear it so.
A million hands launch ships to succor woe;
The stars that shudder o'er the slaughtering host

Rain blessing on the Red Cross groups that go
Careless of shrapnel, emulous for the post
Where foul diseases wreak their uttermost
Of horror. Saintship walks incognito

As scoffing Science, but Christ knows his own.
Sway as it may the war-god's fell caprice,
The victories of Love shall still increase
Until at last, from all this wail and moan,

Rises the song of brotherhood to cease
No more, no more,—the song that shall atone
Even for this mad agony. The throne
That war is building is the throne of Peace.





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