THE SOUL OF A NATION

(March 28, 1918)

The little things of which we lately chattered—

The dearth of taxis or the dawn of spring;

Themes we discussed as though they really mattered,

Like rationed meat or raiders on the wing;—

How thin it seems to-day, this vacant prattle,

Drowned by the thunder rolling in the West,

Voice of the great arbitrament of battle