@3Thus spake the Hypocrite@1: "I did not seek this thing, 'twas thrust upon My meek and lowly self, Oh foul the deed! Here lie my hero dead, for me they died, Nor questioned why, and all because of those Who, like a host of vandals seeking prey, Sought to destroy and lay our land to waste. Rude, lustful men, not knowing kultur's pride Deaf to the mandates from my august throne Prompted by Love, with none of War's desire, Which, if obeyed, would make this mundane world Utopia for all." @3The Poet Deigns Reply@1: "O, base, unworthy wearer of thine ermine robes, Thy acts belie thy weak and supine words, Were twenty years of ceaseless, studied toil To hoard the garnered crops that Death had sown For naught but love? Was it for this you heaped A golden minted store, and builded vast And mighty arsenals, where molten steel Ran like the freshet brooks in molds of Hell? Was it for Love thy banquet toasts were made To that e'er nearing and designed-for 'Day'? Was Love the prompter when thy men prepared With thy consent the noxious, poisoned gas To blast and kill? Was this all done for naught? Go, shed thy tears,—the whirlwinds sown of yore Have gathered force, and even now o'erwhelm And frighten thee. I would not change my place, My humble lodge, a poet's frugal life, For all the vast estates and honors thine Were consciences to be exchanged, and hearts, I sing of Love, not hate, save to thy kind, Thou hypocrite!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: MANY SOLDIERS by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE DECISION (APRIL 14, 1861) by EDGAR LEE MASTERS A LETTER ON THE USE OF MACHINE GUNS AT WEDDINGS by KENNETH PATCHEN CITY VIGNETTE: DUSK by SARA TEASDALE VIGNETTES OVERSEAS: 4. CAPRI by SARA TEASDALE |