Punch/Volume 147/Issue 3831/Truthful Willie
[Suggested by an American's interview with the Crown Prince and also by Wordsworth's "We are Seven."]
A simple earnest-minded youth, Who wore in both his eyes A calm pellucid lake of Truth—What should he know of lies ?
I met a gentle German Prince, His name was Truthful Will, An honest type—and, ever since, His candour haunts me still.
"About this War—come tell me, Sir, If you would be so kind, Just any notions which occur To your exalted mind."
"Frankly, I cannot bear," said he, "The very thought of strife; It seems so sad; it seems to me A wicked waste of life.
"Thank Father's God that I can say My constant aim was Peace; I simply lived to see the Day (Den Tag) when wars would cease.
"But, just as I was well in train To realise my dream, Came England, all for lust of gain, And spoilt my beauteous scheme.
"But tell me how the rumours run; Be frank and tell the worst Touching myself; you speak to one With whom the Truth comes first."
"Prince," I replied, "the vulgar view Pictured you on your toes Eager for gore; they say that you Were ever bellicose."
"'Twas you, the critics say, who led The loud War Party's cry For blood and iron." "Oh!" he said, "Oh what a dreadful lie!
"'War Party'? Well, I'm Father's pet, And, if such things had been, He must have let me know, and yet I can't think what you mean."
"But your Bernhardi," I replied, "He preached the Great War Game." "'Bernhardi'! who was he?" he cried; "I never heard his name!
"Dear Father must be told of him; Father, who loathes all war, Is looking rather grey and grim, But that should make him roar!"
So, with a smile that knew no art, He left me well content Thus to have communed, heart to heart, With one so innocent.
And still I marvelled, having scanned Those eyes so full of Truth, "Oh why do men misunderstand This bright and blameless youth?" O. S.