TO AMERICA
(deferentially hinting how others see her and what they think of her threatened repudiation of her President's pledges).
When you refuse to sign the Peace
Except with various "reservations,"
And prophesy a swift decease
Impinging on the League of Nations;
When you whose arms (we've understood)
Settled the War and wiped the Bosch out
Regard the whole world's brotherhood
As just a wash-out;
You say, in terms a little blunt,
"This scheme that you are advertising
Was all along a private stunt
Of Wilson's singular devising;
His game we weren't allowed to know;
Under a misty smile he masked it;
We never gave him leave to go
(He never asked it).
"And you, poor credulous Allies,
Found in this fellow, self-appointed,
The worth he had in his own eyes
And let him pose as God's anointed;
Taking no sort of pains to see
Whether or not he had a mandate,
Like puppy-dogs the other Three
Out of his hand ate."
But how if we had queered his claim
Or questioned his credentials, saying,
"Who is this Woodrow What's-his-name?
And what's the rôle he thinks he's playing?
Is he a Methodist divine?
Or does he boom Chicago bacon?"—
I think that I can guess the line
You would have taken.
"Behold a Man," I hear you say,
"Of peerless wit and ripe instruction,
Elect of Heaven and U.S.A.—
Surely an ample introduction;
He comes to put Creation right;
He brings no chits—he doesn't need 'em;
Who doubts his faith will have to fight
The Bird of Freedom!"
O.S.