Whence came the greed of men, the war of strife, That grow to murder when their fruit is ripe? From Paradise or from the damning stripe Of blood that flowed when Cain upraised the knife? From Jezebel, who envied Naboth's life, Or Ahab, coveter, whose hand would gripe Another's vineyard? Time will never wipe Away the blot of Ahab and his wife. Above old Bethlehem a lone bright star Proclaimed the coming of the Prince of Peace And hosts of angels flung their song afar, That selfishness and red, red war might cease. How long? How long till hate shall never mar The human heart and love shall find release? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DEAD LEAVES by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON ROAST LEVIATHAN by LOUIS UNTERMEYER TO THE POOR by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD OLNEY HYMNS: 9. THE CONTRITE HEART by WILLIAM COWPER HOLY SONNET: SATIRE 3. ON RELIGION by JOHN DONNE OLD POETS by ALFRED JOYCE KILMER |