Classic Poem

I war against the folly that is War,
The sacrifice that pity hath not stayed,
The Great Delusion men have perished for,
The lie that hath the souls of men betrayed:
I war for justice and for human right,
Against the lawless tyranny of might.

A monstrous cult has held the world too long:
The worship of a Moloch that hath slain
Remorselessly the young, the brave, the strong —
Indifferent to the unmeasured pain,
The accumulated horror and despair,
That stricken Earth no longer wills to bear.

My goal is peace — not peace at any price,
While yet ensanguined jaws of evil yawn
Hungry and pitiless: Nay, peace were vice
Until the cruel dragon-teeth be drawn,
And the wronged victims of oppression be
Delivered from its hateful rule and free!

When comes that hour, resentment laid aside,
Into a ploughshare will I beat my sword;
The weaker nations' strength shall be my pride,
Their gladness my exceeding great reward;
And not in vain shall be the tears now shed,
Nor vain the service of the gallant dead.

I war against the folly that is War,
The futile sacrifice that nought hath stayed,
The Great Delusion men have perished for,
The lie that hath the souls of men betrayed:
For faith I war, humanity and trust;
For peace on earth — a lasting peace, and just!

I war against the folly that is War,
— The sacrifice that pity hath not stayed,
The Great Delusion men have perished for,
— The lie that hath the souls of men betrayed:
I war for justice and for human right,
Against the lawless tyranny of might.

A monstrous cult has held the world too long:
— The worship of a Moloch that hath slain
Remorselessly the young, the brave, the strong —
— Indifferent to the unmeasured pain,
The accumulated horror and despair,
That stricken Earth no longer wills to bear.

My goal is peace — not peace at any price,
— While yet ensanguined jaws of evil yawn
Hungry and pitiless: Nay, peace were vice
— Until the cruel dragon-teeth be drawn,
And the wronged victims of oppression be
Delivered from its hateful rule and free!

When comes that hour, resentment laid aside,
— Into a ploughshare will I beat my sword;
The weaker nations' strength shall be my pride,
— Their gladness my exceeding great reward;
And not in vain shall be the tears now shed,
Nor vain the service of the gallant dead.

I war against the folly that is War,
— The futile sacrifice that nought hath stayed,
The Great Delusion men have perished for,
— The lie that hath the souls of men betrayed:
For faith I war, humanity and trust;
For peace on earth — a lasting peace, and just!