<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">German Prisoners</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line"><span class="smallcaps">When</span> first I saw you in the curious street</p><p class="line">Like some platoon of soldier ghosts in grey,</p><p class="line">My mad impulse was all to smite and slay,</p><p class="line">To spit upon you -- tread you 'neath my feet.</p><p class="line">But when I saw how each sad soul did greet</p><p class="line">My gaze with no sign of defiant frown,</p><p class="line">How from tired eyes looked spirits broken down,</p><p class="line">How each face showed the pale flag of defeat,</p><p class="line">And doubt, despair, and disillusionment,</p><p class="line">And how were grievous wounds on many a head,</p><p class="line">And on your garb red-faced was other red;</p><p class="line">And how you stooped as men whose strength was spent,</p><p class="line">I knew that we had suffered each as other,</p><p class="line">And could have grasped your hand and cried, "My brother!"</p></div><p class="byline">Joseph Lee</p></body></html> · Great War