How shall we keep an armed neutrality
With our own souls? Our souls belie our lips,
That seek to hold our passion in eclipse
And hide the wound of our sharp sympathy,
Saying: “One’s neighbor differs; he might be
Kindled to wrath, were one to wield the whips
Of Truth.” Great God! A red Apocalypse
Flames on the blinded world: and what do we?
_Peace!_ do we cry? Peace is the godlike plan
We love and dedicate our children to;
Yet England’s cause is ours: The rights of man,
Which little Belgium battles for anew,
Shall _we_ recant? No!--Being American,
Our souls cannot keep neutral and keep true.