How shall we keep it -- This power we have gained? "With steel-lipped guns And with men well trained, With wave-smashing battleships, With wind-smashing aircraft, Red rum on our hips, Battle-songs on our lips: That's the way we'll keep it," The War Men laughed. But the world is heavy With a dead, cold host Who died sword-weary, Who died gun-weary, Who died ere their time To the deep, dull rhyme Of the War Man's boast These did not keep it -- The power they had gained With full-throated gun-song, Blood-spouting bayonets And men well trained: These did not keep it -- The power they had gained. And here we stand, NINETEEN TWENTY-SIX, Hemmed in with steel guns And full of the old tricks; Holding here a hand-grenade, Holding there a crucifix. |