War Song Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABAB CDCD EFEF GHGHIJIJDJDJKLKMNDND CDCDOPOPQRQR NDNDNSNSFTFT DUDUHNHNN VVVVIn anguish we uplift | A |
A new unhallowed song | B |
The race is to the swift | A |
The battle to the strong | B |
- | |
Of old it was ordained | C |
That we in packs like curs | D |
Some thirty million trained | C |
And licensed murderers | D |
- | |
In crime should live and act | E |
If cunning folk say sooth | F |
Who flay the naked fact | E |
And carve the heart of truth | F |
- | |
The rulers cry aloud | G |
We cannot cancel war | H |
The end and bloody shroud | G |
Of wrongs the worst abhor | H |
And order's swaddling band | I |
Know that relentless strife | J |
Remains by sea and land | I |
The holiest law of life | J |
From fear in every guise | D |
From sloth from lust of pelf | J |
By war's great sacrifice | D |
The world redeems itself | J |
War is the source the theme | K |
Of art the goal the bent | L |
And brilliant academe | K |
Of noble sentiment | M |
The augury the dawn | N |
Of golden times of grace | D |
The true catholicon | N |
And blood bath of the race | D |
- | |
We thirty million trained | C |
And licensed murderers | D |
Like zanies rigged and chained | C |
By drill and scourge and curse | D |
In shackles of despair | O |
We know not how to break | P |
What do we victims care | O |
For art what interest take | P |
In things unseen unheard | Q |
Some diplomat no doubt | R |
Will launch a heedless word | Q |
And lurking war leap out | R |
- | |
We spell bound armies then | N |
Huge brutes in dumb distress | D |
Machines compact of men | N |
Who once had consciences | D |
Must trample harvests down | N |
Vineyard and corn and oil | S |
Dismantle town by town | N |
Hamlet and homestead spoil | S |
On each appointed path | F |
Till lust of havoc light | T |
A blood red blaze of wrath | F |
In every frenzied sight | T |
- | |
In many a mountain pass | D |
Or meadow green and fresh | U |
Mass shall encounter mass | D |
Of shuddering human flesh | U |
Opposing ordnance roar | H |
Across the swaths of slain | N |
And blood in torrents pour | H |
In vain always in vain | N |
For war breeds war again | N |
- | |
The shameful dream is past | V |
The subtle maze untrod | V |
We recognise at last | V |
That war is not of God | V |
John Davidson
(1)
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