Curdles the blood when Christian brothers strive,
And prostitute to wordy war the lips
Commissioned to dispense ‘good will to man;’
And soothe the world with spoken kindness, soft,
And full of melody as song of birds.
O, sad betrayal of the highest trust!
Heralds of peace—to blow the trump of strife:
Envoys of charity—to sow the tares
Of hatred in a soil prepared for love.
Is this a time for soldiers of the cross