Ireland unfreed Poems and verses written in the early months of 1921 by Sir William Watson |
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REPRISAL BY FIRE |
 | Ireland unfreed |  |
15
REPRISAL BY FIRE
And this, is this the justice that we claimTo have kept untarnished in all realms we sway—
This revel of vengeance, blotting the pure day—
These barbarous deeds, that well might make our name
A byword and a hissing and a shame
Throughout the Earth? This is the doom-paved way
By which great Empires in august array
March to their thunderous deaths 'mid rage and flame.
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Cancel a thousand deeds benignly done,
Fling far away the good gains Wisdom won,
And striking home to Man's most inward breast
Make Domination seem a maniac jest
Heard 'mid the flare of a distempered sun.
| Ireland unfreed | |