They said to me: "Thou shalt not kill,"
And well I understood.
"Thy brother's blood thou shalt not spill,"
They spake, and it was good.
And then I could not understand,
Yet had to do their will;
Cold steel they put into my hand,
Saying: "Go forth and kill.
"Go forth with rage of race and slay:
Pile up the corpses for
What's murder called in Peace--always
Is hallowed in a War.
The Church has blest your bloody blade,
The which in peace it cursed;
So go forth, son, all unafraid,
And do your bloody worst."
What's wrong in Peace in War is right,
So I will do their will,
And bear me bravely in the fight,
And kill and kill and kill.
Yet as I brave the battle test
With dripping sword in hand,
Proving me equal with the best . . .
Christ help me understand! |