Battle

The war of words is done;

The red-lipped cannon speak;

The battle has begun.

The web your speeches spun

Tears and blood shall streak;

The war of words is done.

Smoke enshrouds the sun;

Earth staggers at the shriek

Of battle new begun.

Poltroons and braggarts run:

Woe to the poor, the meek!

The war of words is done.

"And hope not now to shun

The doom that dogs the weak,"

Thunders every gun;

"Victory must be won."

When the red-lipped cannon speak,

The war of words is done,

The slaughter has begun.