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Anti-war essays, poems, short stories and literary excerpts
British writers on peace and war
Lewis Morris: Selections on war and peace
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Lewis Morris
From The Wanderer
The strong bold sway that held mankind in thrall,
Soldier and jurist marching side by side,
Till came the sure slow blight, when all the world
Grew sick, and swooned, and died;
Again the long dark night, when Learning dozed
Safe in her cloister, and the world without
Rang with fierce shouts of war and cries of pain,
Base triumph, baser rout…
And how, when worthier souls bore rule, to hold
Faction more dear than Truth, or stoop to cheat,
With cozening words and shallow flatteries
The Solons of the street?
Or, failing this, to wear a hireling sword –
Ready, whate’er the cause, to kill and slay…
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