What was the choice he made, that all fear surmounted?
The choice of a man—that leaves not the soul uncounted.
What did the King, in bitter defeat and sorrow?
He stood as a god, foreseeing a great to-morrow.
How fought the King? In silent and stern persistence;
Patience and power within, and hope in the distance.
What was the gift he won, in the fire that tried him?
The deathless love of his own, who fought beside him.
What is his crown, the noblest of all for wearing?
The homage of hearts that beat for his splendid bearing.
Robe and sceptre and crown—what are these for holding?
Vesture and sign for his spirit's royal moulding.
What speaks he now, in the hour of faith victorious?
Words of a quiet gladness, few, but glorious.
Then, as we greet him, what shall be ours to render?
Silence that shines, and speech that is proud and tender!
Marion Couthouy Smith.
Meanwhile, at Paris, the Peace Conference, under the leadership of President Woodrow Wilson, who had broken all precedents by going to Europe, was struggling with the peace treaty. For America, the great conflict had been a war to end war, and the President insisted that provisions to establish a League of Nations should be made an integral part of the treaty.