Battle
by John Davidson (1899)
The war of words is done;
The red-lipped cannon speak;
The battle has begun.
The web your speeches spun
Tears and blood shall streak;
The war of words is done.
Smoke enshrouds the sun;
Earth staggers at the shriek
Of battle new begun.
Poltroons and braggarts run:
Woe to the poor, the meek!
The war of words is done.
And hope not now to shun
The doom that dogs the weak,
Thunders every gun;
Victory must be won.
When the red-lipped cannon speak,
The war of words is done,
The slaughter has begun.
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