Poems (Tree)/Give Me, O God, the Power of Laughter Still
GIVE me, O God, the power of laughter still,I shall have need of humour, deftest foilAgainst the army of infuriated pride,Against the shields of reason, and the spearsOf savage moments, sharp-edged bitterness;Against the blazoned armour of intolerance,And all the flags of sentiment waved aloft. . . .
Love, Humour, and Rebellion, go with me,Three musketeers of faithful following.We will fear nothing.—Is not laughter brave,That unconcerned goes rippling through despair?Is not rebellion brave, that fiercely movesAgainst the buttressed prisons of the world?And is not love the bravest of them all,So frail to hold his white hands up to HeavenWhile the red fists are threatening all around,And hate is beating on the battledrums?As d'Artagnan upon a starved grey horseGoes singing ballads on adventurous roads,I ride my fancy blithely into dangerTo throw my gauntlet at the feet of prideAnd stick my roses in the cap of Love. . . .
1916