<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">After the War</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line">After the war -- I hear men ask -- what then?</p><p class="line">As tho this rock-ribbed world, sculptured with fire,</p><p class="line">And bastioned deep in the ethereal plan,</p><p class="line">Can never be its morning self again</p><p class="line">Because of this brief madness, man with man;</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">How many wars and long-forgotten woes</p><p class="line">Unnumbered, nameless, made a like despair</p><p class="line">In hearts long stilled; how many suns have set</p><p class="line">On burning cities blackening the air, --</p><p class="line">Yet dawn came dreaming back, her lashes wet</p><p class="line">With dew, and daisies in her innocent hair.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Nor shall, for this, the soul's ascension pause,</p><p class="line">Nor the sure evolution of the laws</p><p class="line">That out of foulness lift the flower to sun,</p><p class="line">And out of fury forge the evening star.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Deem not Love's building of the world undone --</p><p class="line">Far Love's beginning was, her end is far;</p><p class="line">By paths of fire and blood her feet must climb,</p><p class="line">Seeking a loveliness she scarcely knows,</p><p class="line">Whose meaning is beyond the reach of Time.</p></div><p class="byline">-- Richard Le Gallienne.<br xmlns:exist="http://exist.sourceforge.net/NS/exist" xmlns:html="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"/> Puck. </p></body></html> · Great War