Panama and Other Poems Narrative and Occasional By Stephen Phillips: With a Frontispiece by Joseph Pennell |
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“HANDS OFF!” |
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 | Panama and Other Poems Narrative and Occasional |  |
66
“HANDS OFF!”
“I believe there is a very general opinion that the
victors are not to be robbed of the fruits which have
cost them so much.”—Mr. Asquith at the Mansion
House.
Too long the Turk in Europe sits immune,
Too long the plains with Christian bones has strewn,
While “the great Powers” in silence bent their head,
And acquiesced in all those slaughtered dead.
The Impotencies deaf to curse and cry,
Preserved their splendid inactivity.
Who then arose? It was no mighty Power,
Who struck for Moslem rule the final hour.
Four little peoples hurled the monster down,
Warriors with something of the martyr's crown.
The cost they counted and rejoiced to bleed,
They set their teeth and swore they would be freed.
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Too late to portion here, and there to slice;
Too late to steal what cost them all that blood.
We looked for rivers, we beheld a flood.
“Hands off!” throughout all Europe ring the cry,
Nor stay the victor after victory.
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