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Cadmus
The ancient Greeks a fable had, that heWho brought them letters sowed a dragon's teeth,
And armed men sprung up; some wisdom we
498
No gift so great but may be turned to ill;
Thus e'en with letters may be born fierce strife,
And armed men spring up to fight and kill,
And that bring death which should have brought us life.
The Press may grow corrupt, deceitful words,
The seeds of war, scatter in every land;
Till men shall beat their ploughshares into swords,
And armed men spring up on every hand!
Ah, when will God's great gift of human speech
Naught but his love to all his children teach?
Poem No. 459; c. 16 September 1876
| Jones Very : The Complete Poems | |