Poems Real and Ideal By George Barlow |
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| IV. |
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| IV. | IV.
THE DAY OF THANKSGIVING: AFTER THE
EGYPTIAN WAR OF 1882. |
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| XX. |
| XXI. |
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 | Poems Real and Ideal |  |
149
IV. THE DAY OF THANKSGIVING: AFTER THE EGYPTIAN WAR OF 1882.
Thank God for what, ye clerical conclave?
For corpses piled beneath the Eastern sky,
And wounded men whose one prayer is to die?
For blood and wrath and battle and the grave?
Now from church aisle and arched cathedral nave
Must sound of triumph-hymning float on high?
Nay, rather close the red book with a sigh,
And seek in sober calm the land to save.
For corpses piled beneath the Eastern sky,
And wounded men whose one prayer is to die?
For blood and wrath and battle and the grave?
Now from church aisle and arched cathedral nave
Must sound of triumph-hymning float on high?
Nay, rather close the red book with a sigh,
And seek in sober calm the land to save.
Ye priests, who now would make God such as ye,
Refrain,—and let the pale dead sleep in peace.
Let the white Eastern moon soar silently
Over the bloodied plains; let shouting cease.
Think you the hearts of watching angels glowed
When through dark ranks wet bayonets rent their road?
Refrain,—and let the pale dead sleep in peace.
Let the white Eastern moon soar silently
Over the bloodied plains; let shouting cease.
Think you the hearts of watching angels glowed
When through dark ranks wet bayonets rent their road?
Sept. 23, 1882.
| Poems Real and Ideal | |