An Appeal

HARKEN, heroic England! Know how nearTo thy life-citadel the foe has drawn!Abjure complacent counsels; learn to fear;For Might that wars 'gainst all thou holdest dear,Unstayed, is marching on!

Thou, patient ever, be deceived no more:Part with delusive dreams that make less strong!Behold how bold (a ruthless conqueror),By night and day comes nearer to thy doorIntolerable Wrong!

Call upon all thy strength—not later, now!—Now while the world waits breathless for thy deed,That it eternally may disavowThe faith that "Might makes Right," nor bowTo Savagery's brute creed!

Brave in defence of honor and the wordWhich, given freely, binds and maketh free.Arm, that the weak and helpless may be heard!—Yea, that the hearts of men may still be stirredTo Christ's humanity!

From fields of horror, blood-soaked, eloquent,From shrines of beauty, waste and desecrate,From unoffending lips and innocent,The cry of anguish and of hope is rent:—"England! be not too late!"