The Years Between Part 14

When they were fullest of wine and most flagrant in error, Out of the sea rose a sign--out of Heaven a terror.

Then they saw, then they heard, then they knew--for none troubled to hide it, An host had prepared their destruction, but still they denied it.

They denied what they dared not abide if it came to the trial, But the Sword that was forged while they lied did not heed their denial.

It drove home, and no time was allowed to the crowd that was driven.

The preposterous-minded were cowed--they thought time would be given.

There was no need of a steed nor a lance to pursue them; It was decreed their own deed, and not chance, should undo them The tares they had laughingly sown were ripe to the reaping, The trust they had leagued to disown was removed from their keeping.

The eaters of other men's bread, the exempted from hards.h.i.+p, The excusers of impotence fled, abdicating their wards.h.i.+p.

For the hate they had taught through the State brought the State no defender, And it pa.s.sed from the roll of the Nations in headlong surrender.

JUSTICE

OCTOBER 1918

_Across a world where all men grieve And grieving strive the more, The great days range like tides and leave Our dead on every sh.o.r.e.

Heavy the load we undergo, And our own hands prepare, If we have parley with the foe, The load our sons must bear._

Before we loose the word That bids new worlds to birth, Needs must we loosen first the sword Of Justice upon earth; Or else all else is vain Since life on earth began, And the spent world sinks back again Hopeless of G.o.d and Man.

A people and their King Through ancient sin grown strong, Because they feared no reckoning Would set no bound to wrong; But now their hour is past, And we who bore it find Evil Incarnate held at last To answer to mankind.

For agony and spoil Of nations beat to dust, For poisoned air and tortured soil And cold, commanded l.u.s.t, And every secret woe The shuddering waters saw-- Willed and fulfilled by high and low-- Let them relearn the Law.

That when the dooms are read, Not high nor low shall say:-- 'My haughty or my humble head Has saved me in this day.'

That, till the end of time, Their remnant shall recall Their fathers' old, confederate crime Availed them not at all.

That neither schools nor priests, Nor Kings may build again A people with the heart of beasts Made wise concerning men.

Whereby our dead shall sleep In honour, unbetrayed, And we in faith and honour keep That peace for which they paid.