For England Poems written during estrangement: By William Watson |
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| I. |
| II. |
| V. | V “LENIENCY” |
| V. |
| VII. |
| IX. |
| XI. |
| XIII. |
| XIV. |
| XV. |
| XVI. |
| XVII. |
| XVIII. |
| XX. |
| XXI. |
| XXIII. |
| XXIV. |
 | For England |  |
22
V
“LENIENCY”
What voice is this, of bale and wrath?
“We have not burned enough, or slain;
Too little havoc marks our path;
We are too gentle, too humane.
“We have not burned enough, or slain;
Too little havoc marks our path;
We are too gentle, too humane.
“From countless roof-trees be there rolled
The smoke of expiatory fires!
More incense yet an hundredfold
The unsated God of War requires.”
The smoke of expiatory fires!
More incense yet an hundredfold
The unsated God of War requires.”
23
Blind from the first, blind to the end,
Blind to all signs that ask men's gaze!
In vain by lips of foe or friend
The world cries shame upon your ways.
Blind to all signs that ask men's gaze!
In vain by lips of foe or friend
The world cries shame upon your ways.
Blind beyond cure! Despoil and burn;
Fling forth the helpless—babes as well;
And let the children's children learn
To hate us with the hate of hell.
Fling forth the helpless—babes as well;
And let the children's children learn
To hate us with the hate of hell.
From whatsoever taint remain
Of lingering justice in our heart,
Purge us: erase the poor last stain
Of pity; yea, act out your part;
Of lingering justice in our heart,
Purge us: erase the poor last stain
Of pity; yea, act out your part;
24
Speed us along the downward track;
Delay the dawn, defeat the light;
And thrust the human spirit back
Into the night, into the night.
Delay the dawn, defeat the light;
And thrust the human spirit back
Into the night, into the night.
| For England | |