Battle

by John Davidson (1899)

The war of words is done;
          The red-lipped cannon speak;
The battle has begun.

The web your speeches spun
          Tears and blood shall streak;
The war of words is done.

Smoke enshrouds the sun;
          Earth staggers at the shriek
Of battle new begun.

Poltroons and braggarts run:
          Woe to the poor, the meek!
The war of words is done.

And hope not now to shun
          The doom that dogs the weak,
Thunders every gun;

Victory must be won.
          When the red-lipped cannon speak,
The war of words is done,
The slaughter has begun.