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Anti-war essays, poems, short stories and literary excerpts
British writers on peace and war
Women writers on peace and war
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Elizabeth Cobbold
From The Two Vanities, a Fable
When Cadmus, reeking from th’ empoison’d strife,
The serpent spoils by Pallas’ order strew’d,
The gory furrows heav’d with sudden life,
And, bursting forth, appear’d the warrior brood;
Awhile elate in hostile pride they stood:
Then mix’d in fierce exterminating fight,
Earth’s bosom drenching with her children’s blood,
And every corse defac’d with hellish spite,
Pale look’d the sun through clouds, and sicken’d at the sight.
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From Lines Written in the Album of an Officer of the Kings
German Legion
Secure from satire’s shaft, or envy’s dart,
Here may his heart forget its every woe,
With social converse heal afflictions’ smart,
And all the sweets of home and friendship know,
Till peace with ray serene the world shall cheer,
And gild his native land and give a home more dear.
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