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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SONNET WRITTEN IN THE FALL OF 1914: 3 by GEORGE EDWARD WOODBERRY

First Line: HEARKEN, THE FEET OF THE DESTROYER TREAD
Last Line: ERE YET THOU CLOSE, O FLOWER OF CHRISTENDOM!
Subject(s): WORLD WAR I; FIRST WORLD WAR;

Hearken, the feet of the Destroyer tread
The wine-press of the nations; fast the blood
Pours from the side of Europe; in full flood
On the Septentrional watershed
The rivers of fair France are running red!
England, the mother-eyrie of our brood,
That on the summit of dominion stood,
Shakes in the blast: heaven battles overhead!
Lift up thy head, O Rheims, of ages heir
That treasured up in thee their glorious sum;
Upon whose brow, prophetically fair,
Flamed the great morrow of the world to come;
Haunt with thy beauty this volcanic air
Ere yet thou close, O Flower of Christendom!



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