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THE GREAT ARMISTICE
149
Out of that dream I awoke.
On the borders of night, serenely far,
Unmenacing glimmered the evening star.
No ghoulish air-fleets blotted the blue.
The dew of the dusk was sweet;
But the voice of an enemy mortar spoke,
And my comrade fell at my feet
With his skull split through....
Then in my soul I prayed
To the wise All-Father, and said:
"God, if no merciful plan
May reconcile man to man,
Then raise thine omnipotent arm;
Blacken our skies with the woe
Of some all-menacing harm;
That, awed by a common foe
And a common fate,
Our hearts may shatter the gate
From the narrower self, and advance to unity dedicate,"
Then shall our triumph ring
Whether we stand or fall;
For the wreck of the flesh is a paltry thing,
But love is all in all.
