Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE WAKENED GOD, by MARGARET WIDDEMER Poet's Biography First Line: The war-god wakened drowsily Last Line: And scourged the crouching lands again. Alternate Author Name(s): Schauffler, Mrs. Robert H. Variant Title(s): The Awakened War God Subject(s): World War I; First World War | ||||||||
The War-god wakened drowsily; There were gold chains about his hands. He said: "And who shall reap my lands And bear the tithes to Death for me? "The nations stilled my thunderings; They wearied of my steel despair, The flames from out my burning hair: Is there an ending of such things?" Low laughed the Earth, and answered: "When Was any changeless law I gave Changed by my sons intent to save, By puny pitying hands of men? "I feel no ruth for some I bear. ... The swarming, hungering overflow Of crowded millions, doomed to go, They must destroy who chained you there. "For some bright stone or shining praise They stint a million bodies' breath, And sell the women, shamed, to death, And send the men brief length of days. "They kill the bodies swift for me, And kill the souls you gave to peace. ... You were more merciful than these, Old master of my cruelty. "Lo, souls are scarred and virtues dim: Take back thy scourge of ministry, Rise from thy silence suddenly, Lest these still take Death's toll to him!" The War-god snapped his golden chain: His mercies thundered down the world, And lashing battle-lines uncurled And scourged the crouching lands again. | 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 BALLAD OF QUEEN ELIZABETH by MARGARET WIDDEMER |
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