GO, WORDS, ON WINDS OF WAR "
Go, words, on winds of war. Let invoc-ating breath Adjure what ruthful influences on earth remain Wherefore our common kindness should be done to death.
No answer comes. The Germans drub their desolate drums.
Ask of recording angels what can glory gain When the bombed city bums, the sinking ship explodes: Compute the mutilations ; number off the slain.
Comes no reply. The Germans mutter, marching by.
Ask of the armoured columns whither bend their roads, And what the factory's output fruitfully achieves: Question the Stuka squadron wherefore it unloads.
NO choice, the Reich responds with guttural radio voice.
The souls of men are lost upon the storm like leaves, Or crucified on faiths which once undid despair.
Only of retaliation the mass-mind conceives.
One fact we understand. This feud was German-planned.
Return; words voiced in vain, on war's unanswering air . Pride, that denied compassion, will find full payment there.
SIEGFRIED SASSOON.
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