Thomas Hardy — Cry Of The Homeless After The Prussian Invasion Of Belgium

"Instigator of the ruin -     Whichsoever thou mayst be Of the masterful of Europe     That contrived our misery - Hear the wormwood-worded greeting     From each city, shore, and lea         Of thy victims:     "Conqueror, all hail to thee!" "Yea: 'All hail!' we grimly shout thee     That wast author, fount, and head Of these wounds, whoever proven     When our times are throughly read. 'May thy loved be slighted, blighted,     And forsaken,' be it said         By thy victims,     'And thy children beg their bread!' "Nay: a richer malediction! -     Rather let this thing befall In time's hurling and unfurling     On the night when comes thy call; That compassion dew thy pillow     And bedrench thy senses all         For thy victims,     Till death dark thee with his pall." August 1915.