Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


BATTLE by JOHN DAVIDSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: THE WAR OF WORDS IS DONE
Last Line: THE SLAUGHTER HAS BEGUN

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.




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