Classic Poem

Out of the depths a cry
Rings, rings and is still!
Out of the night a voice:
" Ye that were taught to kill,
Youth blinded, cow'd and bled, —
Who planned your agony?
Ye brave unnumber'd dead,
Have ye not seen the Lie? "

" Into the deserts of Death,
Into the pits of Hell,
Hurl'd, and at whose command, —
Know ye and can ye tell?
Bludgeon'd and crush'd and made
Helots and beasts: — deceived,
Butcher'd and then betray'd, —
Laugh'd at because you believed! "

" Ye who have dream'd and died
That Freedom and Peace might live,
God will forgive your pride;
Never will ye forgive
The crime of pious knaves
Who drove you forth to die! . .
No more will you be slaves,
Ye who have seen the Lie! "