THE WAR-MAKERS

Who are the Makers of Wars?

The Kings of the earth.

And who are these Kings of the earth?

Only men — not always even men of worth,

But claiming rule by right of birth.

And Wisdom?— does that come by birth?

Nay then — too often the reverse.

Wise father oft has son perverse;

Solomon's son was Israel's curse.

Why suffer things to reason so averse?

It always has been so,

And only now does knowledge grow

To that high point where all men know —

Who would be free must strike the blow.

And how long will man suffer so?

Until his soul of Freedom sings,

And, strengthened by his sufferings,

He breaks the worn-out leading-strings,

And calls to stricter reckonings

Those costliest things — unworthy Kings.

Not all are worthless. Some, with sense of duty,

Strive to invest their lives with grace and beauty.

To such — high honour! But the rest — self-seekers,

Pride-puffed — out with them!— useless mischief-makers!

The time is past when any man or nation

Will meekly bear unrighteous domination.

The time is come when every burden-bearer

Must, in the fixing of his load, be sharer.