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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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Maria Abdy
From The War-Cloud
The War-Cloud hovers o’er our way;
But yield not to the spell of sorrow:
Our country’s prospects, dim to day,
Perchance may look more bright to-morrow.
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The strife may come, but soon may cease;
Soon may the foeman flee before us;
Soon may the gentle Dove of Peace
Extend her snowy pinions o’er us.
Shadows are sent our path to shroud –
Behold them not with vain repining;
The eye of Faith shall pierce the cloud,
And bring to view its silver lining!
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From The Ruined Castle by Sunlight
What, though he view in broken heaps around,
The mournful wreck of many a noble vision,
Though Fame’s proud towers be leveled with the ground,
Though cleft the glittering temple of Ambition; –
Yet Peace, with soothing voice, and dove-like wing,
Pours her sweet music in the dwelling shattered,
Fair blossoms still among the ruin cling,
And verdure on the rugged waste is scattered.
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