Let us call it a game. After all, what else is it? We have been playing it since the dawn of creation; and it has settled nothing—but the names of things. Its victories, its defeats! Time wipes them off the slate, with a smile.
I quote from a letter written by the officer who boarded the Emden. He speaks of the German officers: "A thoroughly nice fellow"—"also a good fellow." The order is given that there be no cheering from the Sydney when entering the harbor with her prisoners. English sailormen have fought with German sailormen; have killed a good many of them. It is over. No crowing, gentlemen—over fellow-sailormen. Our writer discusses the fight generally with Captain von Muller. "We agreed it was our job to knock one another out. But there was no malice in it."
We shall do better to regard war as a game—a game to be played for love, for honor, without hatred, without malice. So only shall we profit by it.
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I. The Dominant Voice, shrieking: Rancor unspeakable, white-hot wrath Spring in your furrow, rise in your path! Harvest you vengeance from Belgian dust, Ye who have turnèd love unto lust! Subdominant Voices, murmuring: Month of Mary, may ye breed Vengers out of the August seed! Nourish'd hate of father-foe— Grow, ye War-babes, grow, grow! II. The Dominant Voice: Anger implacable, brand with fire, Sear out the soul of the bestial sire! Impotent render the insolent boor— Dead to the love and the life to endure! Subdominant Voices: Month of Mary, ye shall breed Vengers out of the August seed, Cradled hate of father-foe— Grow, ye War-babes, grow, grow! |
III. The Dominant Voice: Miracle-May-month, fathered in death, Bred in corruption to breathe new breath Into foul body-dregs, breathe thy life Into the hate-sired babes of strife! Subdominant Voices: Month of Mary, ye shall feed Saviours from the Judas-deed— Gods of life to quell that woe. Grow, ye War-babes, grow, grow! IV. The Dominant Voice: Ruin the arrogant hate of love! Ruin the haters, God above! Bless Thou their harvest to quell their sin— Honor the sinned-against, God within! All Voices: Warring nations, bleed, bleed, But to let the leaders lead! Springs to come from Falls to go, Love's lords, Life's lords, show, show! |
