<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">Neutral?</h1><h1 align="center" class="head"><span class="smallcaps">To the</span><span class="smallcaps">Humanity of</span><span class="smallcaps">America</span></h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line"><span class="smallcaps">When</span> men are told in years ahead</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">How Fury forced the Belgian door</p><p class="line">And ravished maids, struck children dead,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">And fired the houses of the poor,</p><p class="line">Will none, if still that nation lives</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Our sires with blood and sweat begat,</p><p class="line">Ask with the pride your greatness gives,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">"What said America to that?"</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Your children -- taught how Belgium stood</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">In flames that once were called Louvain,</p><p class="line">And dashing from her eyes the blood</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Struck at her foe and struck again --</p><p class="line">Shall feel their hearts within them burn</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">To know that righteous word you said;</p><p class="line">God! When the silent truth they learn,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Surely your sons will hang the head.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">We ask not that of all your hosts</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">One man, one sword be sacrificed:</p><p class="line">Your cousins guard these ancient coasts,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Your kinsmen charge this Antichrist:</p><p class="line">But we expect your mighty voice</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">With judgment through the world to run,</p><p class="line">O land of freedom, make your choice,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Are you for Belgium or the Hun?</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">We ask not that your shells should shriek</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Above the flaming hills we climb,</p><p class="line">But speak, O sons of Lincoln, speak!</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Silence in such an hour is crime.</p><p class="line">Your children judge you if you stand</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">In hearing of the Belgian cry,</p><p class="line">Not only with the folded hand,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">But with the cold, averted eye!</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">The soul has got its piercing steel,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">The heart its fierce consuming fire,</p><p class="line">Oh, make your voice like thunder peal,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">All nations of the earth inspire!</p><p class="line">We know your heart for Belgium bleeds,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">But speak your soul, declare your mind,</p><p class="line">Speak till the sin-red tyrant heeds</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">The voice of God and all mankind.</p></div><p class="byline">-- Harold Begbie.</p></body></html> · Great War