Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE WORLD IN ARMOUR: 1, by WILLIAM WATSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE WORLD IN ARMOUR: 1, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Under this shade of crimson wings abhorred
Last Line: War that sits smiling, with the eyes of cain.
Alternate Author Name(s): Watson, John William
Subject(s): War


UNDER this shade of crimson wings abhorred
That never wholly leaves the sky serene, --
While Vengeance sleeps a sleep so light, between
Dominions that acclaim Thee overlord, --
Sadly the blast of Thy tremendous word,
Whate'er its mystic purport may have been,
Echoes across the ages, Nazarene:
Not to bring peace Mine errand, but a sword.

For lo, Thy world uprises and lies down
In armour, and its Peace is War, in all
Save the great death that weaves War's dreadful crown:
War unennobled by heroic pain:
War without triumph, without glorious fall;
War that sits smiling, with the eyes of Cain.





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