War, a Poem

WAR

A lady, talking with the Duke of Wellington, once proudly said 'A victory is a glorious thing, sir," But he sadly shook his head.

In answering her the Duke's remark was Like this, which I here repeat 'Than victory there is but one thing worse, "That one thing, ma'm, is defeat."

——

War is debt and bonds and taxes, Principal and interest too. Interest makes debts more than double, Ere is paid all that is due.

War produces untold suffering, Cripples, widows, orphans makes, Thousands sends to graves untimely Every thing it wants it takes.

War is waste and reckless ruin, Equity and morals go. Hatred, famine, plague — all evils

In war's path relentless flow.

"War is hell. " So Sherman called it, Hell upon the earth indeed. War is all crimes concentrated. War's their harvest and their seed.

War is rapine. That's sufficient To disgust an honest man. War is murder. That should put it Under universal ban.

Hail! That grand Millennial era, When dread war's alarms are o'er Swords and spears and guns abolished, Nations shall learn war no more.

John Jaques.