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Anti-war essays, poems, short stories and literary excerpts
British writers on peace and war
Richard Furness: Selections on war
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Richard Furness
War and Love
War and love went forth to fight,
War and love in all their might:
War with force, and love with wiles,
War in frowns, but love in smiles.
War aroused the world to arms;
Love, for peace displayed her charms;
War o’er all in ruin swept.
Love beheld the scene and wept.
War in flames love’s votaries bound.
Love as quick her martyrs crowned;
War prepared the bitter cup,
Love in pity drank it up.
War threw up his bolts ‘gainst heaven:
Love entreated – war’s forgiven;
War ungrateful rages still.
Love o’erburdened bears the ill.
War to dread collision came.
Love stood trenched in scathless flame;
War had swords, but love had darts:
War struck heads, but love struck hearts.
War struck high, but love stooped low:
War felt love’s celestial blow;
War had wounds, but love had none:
War expired and love had won.
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