Classic and Contemporary Poetry
CARNAGE: 2. THE GREAT NEGATION, by PERCY MACKAYE Poet's Biography First Line: When that great-minded man, sir edward grey Last Line: He might have saved the world, and he would not. Alternate Author Name(s): Mackaye, Percy Wallace Subject(s): Grey, Sir Edward (1862-1935); Peace; World War I; Grey Of Fallodon, Viscount; Grey, 3d Baronet; First World War | ||||||||
WHEN that great-minded man, Sir Edward Grey, Said to the hypocritic `prince of peace': "Let us confer, who hold the destinies Of Europe, ere the tempest breaks, and stay Its carnage!" the proud despot answered nay, And by that great negation loosed the seas And winds of multitudinous miseries To rage around his empire for their prey. He might have uttered "Peace": Peace would have been. He might have abdicated ere he fought For such Satanic empire; but to win Power he refused. Therefore a rankling thought Festers henceforth with that refusal's sin: He might have saved the world, and he would not. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...D'ANNUNZIO by ERNEST HEMINGWAY 1915: THE TRENCHES by CONRAD AIKEN TO OUR PRESIDENT by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE HORSES by KATHARINE LEE BATES CHILDREN OF THE WAR by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE U-BOAT CREWS by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE RED CROSS NURSE by KATHARINE LEE BATES WAR PROFITS by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE UNCHANGEABLE by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN A CHILD AT THE WICKET by PERCY MACKAYE |
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