Poem by Alice Meynell

In Honour of America, 1917

 IN ANTITHESIS TO ROSSETTI'S "ON THE REFUSAL
          OF AID BETWEEN NATIONS"

Not that the earth is changing, O my God!
    Not that her brave democracies take heart
    To share, to rule her treasure, to impart
The wine to those who long the wine-press trod;
Not therefore trust we that beneath Thy nod,
    Thy silent benediction, even now
    In gratitude so many nations bow,
So many poor: not therefore, O my God!

But because living men for dying man
    Go to a million deaths, to deal one blow;
    And justice speaks one great compassionate tongue;
And nation unto nation calls "One clan
    We succourers are, one tribe!" By this we know
Our earth holds confident, steadfast, being young.

1. “I Am the Way”
2. To Silence
3. The Day to the Night
4. Unlinked
5. Parentage

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