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Anti-war essays, poems, short stories and literary excerpts
British writers on peace and war
Henry Kirke White: The red-eyeballed warrior doomed to ruin
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Henry Kirke White
From Music (juvenilia)
At her command the various passions lie;
She stirs to battle, or she lulls to peace:
Melts the charm’d soul to thrilling ecstacy,
And bids the jarring world’s harsh clangour cease.
Her martial sounds can fainting troops inspire
With strength unwonted, and enthusiasm raise;
Infuse new ardour, and with youthful fire
Urge on the warrior gray with length of days.
Far better she, when, with her soothing lyre,
She charms the falchion from the savage grasp,
And melting into pity vengeful ire,
Looses the bloody breastplate’s iron clasp.
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Oh! surely melody from heaven was sent,
To cheer the soul when tired with human strife,
To soothe the wayward heart by sorrow rent,
And soften down the rugged road of life.
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