The Great Hour.

By HERMANN SUDERMANN.

Whether, O Father in Heaven, we still put our trust in You,

Whether You are but a dream of a sacred past,

See now, we swear to You, Witness of Truth,

Not we have wanted it—

This murder, this world-ending murder—

Which now, with blood-hot sighs,

Stamps o'er the shuddering earth.

True to the earth, the bread-giving earth,

Happy and cheery in business and trade,

Peaceful we sat in the oak tree's shade,

Peaceful,

Though we were born to the sword.

Circled around us, for ever and ever,

Greed, sick with envy, and nets lifted high,

Full of inherited hatred.

Every one saw it, and every one felt

The secret venom, gushing forth,

Year after year,

Heavy and breath-bated years.

But hearts did not quiver

Nor hands draw the sword.

And then it came, the hour

Of sacred need, of pregnant Fate,

And what it brings forth, we will shape,

The brown gun in our mastering hand.

Ye mothers, what ye once have borne,

In honor or in vice,

Bring forth to every sacred shrine—

Your country's sacrifice.

Ye brides, whom future happiness,

Once kissed—it but seemed true,

Bring back to fair Germania

What she has given you.

Ye women, in silks or in linen,

Offer your husbands now.

Bid them goodbye, with your children,

With smiles and a blessing vow.

Ye all are doomed to lie sleepless,

Many a desolate night,

And dream of approaching conquests

And of your hero's might.

And dream of laurel and myrtle,

Until he shall return,

Till he, your master and shepherd,

Shall make the old joys burn.

And if he fell on the Autumn heath

And fell deep into death,

He died for Germania's greatness,

He died for Germania's breath.

The Fatherland they shall let stand,

Upon his blood-soaked loam,

And ne'er again shall they approach

Our sacred, peaceful home.

—Translated by Herman J. Mankiewicz.

H.M. GUSTAF V—King of Sweden—
(Photo from Underwood & Underwood)

H.M. HAAKON VII—King of Norway—
(Photo from Underwood & Underwood)

The Peace of the World

A Famous Englishman's Diagnosis of the War Disease and His Prescription for a Permanent Cure

By H.G. Wells