[_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?"