 | Jones Very : The Complete Poems |  |
Man's Heart Prophesieth Of Peace
A sad confession from the heart of manIt is, that War, dark hateful War, must be;
That ever thus, e'en since the world began,
Has been on earth the dire necessity!
Behold, he says, the truth on History's page,
Written in blood upon her lengthening scroll;
The warrior's wreaths still green from age to age,
And warlike glory still man's highest goal.
But deeper look, O man, into thy heart,
And Peace, a mightier need thou there shalt see;
As yet thou know'st thy nature but in part,
What thou hast been, but not what thou shalt be!
And read the promise of God's holy Word,
That nations shall no more lift up the sword.
Poem No. 17; c. January 1863
| Jones Very : The Complete Poems | |