Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, CARNAGE: 2. THE GREAT NEGATION, by PERCY MACKAYE



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CARNAGE: 2. THE GREAT NEGATION, by                     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.





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