Send Peace Again: A Poem

Send Peace Again O Twentieth Century! Thou so young, Whose glorious advent late was sung, Midst all the charms that could array The world for progress and fair-play. When peace to men was so endeared A beauteous temple quick they reared To Universal Peace, and earth Seemed all to sense its deepest worth Must we, while still thou'rt in thy teens Rouse quickly from those peaceful scenes, And pray to God to send again, "Peace on earth, good will to men?"

O cruel monster, wicked War! Thy craft that, like the eagles, soar The upper strata of the air, And kill and spy with awful glare; Those stealthy craft that plow the main 'Neath fog and foam and hurricane, And rise, and strike, and thrust below The staunchest ships of every foe; And all thy weapons, most refined — In dealing death, how they remind That God we pray to send again, "Peace on earth, good will to men."

Majestic Freedom! Rise — protest When Civilization's mightiest, best, In thy loved name, with carnage strew The fairest lands man ever knew, Who mock fair Peace, midst tyrants' sneers, And deluge all in blood or tears; Rebuke dire War, and justice claim; Direct proud man, in Mercy's name, To work for right, for peace, for God; Hold brothers true, at home — abroad, And pray the Lord to send again, "Peace on earth, good will to men." F. E. Barker.