<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">Armageddon</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line"><span class="smallcaps">Men</span> talk of Armageddon! Has the World</p><p class="line">Lost all her garnered wisdom? Must we scan</p><p class="line">The Devil's legions, Ban and Arriere-Ban,</p><p class="line">Bear challenges with flags of war unfurled,</p><p class="line">That foolish prince to foolish prince has hurled,</p><p class="line">While grinning Glory's pale horse heads the van,</p><p class="line">And far to rear round wretched Everyman</p><p class="line">The coils of Dragon Agony are curled?</p><p class="line">Quicken, ye peoples. Look to it, ye kings,</p><p class="line">Who break an age in pieces for your play:</p><p class="line">Please God your trampling vanities will jar</p><p class="line">A sleeping giant, and such petty things</p><p class="line">As crowns and Cæsars shall at last make way</p><p class="line">Before mankind's Republic, ending war.</p></div><p class="byline">JUSTIN HUNTLY McCARTHY</p><em>Daily Chronicle, August</em> 3 ,1914</body></html> · Great War