Classic Poem

We fought at Armageddon for the freedom of the world:
I fought, and you fought, and here our bones lie mixed.
By the master-hands which held us, eastward and westward hurled,
We were shattered, we fell down, for the place and time were fixed.

Tell me, O brother Bone, what here remains to know:
Marched we as comrades then, or foemen, ere we died?
Was it my hand or yours which dealt the darkening blow:
Was it your hand or mine which turned the blow aside?

Took I my brother's life: what better life was mine?
Fought I for freedom; — of freedom so bereft?
Had I the clearer sight to read the Heavenly sign?
Had I the cleaner heart, to keep my hands from theft?

We fought at Armageddon for the freedom of mankind,
And while we fought, behind us freedom was bought and sold!
The light that lit these sockets is out, and we are blind.
Now with blind eyes we read; now with dead hands can hold.

Bone to my bone you lie, companion of my pains!
What link of life is this, which binds us wrist to wrist?
These, brother, these are not links but only chains,
Worn by the living, that dying lips have kissed.

Millions we marched; and the rattle of the drums
Drowned the rattle of our chains, and the shouting held our ranks.
For sweet to our ears was " The conquering hero comes, "
And sweet to our hearts " A grateful Country's thanks. "

We fought at Armageddon for the brotherhood of Man;
And safe within their fences the tricksters plied their trade.
'Twas the old fight we fought; and it ends as it began:
The gamblers held their hands till the Last Trump was played.

We fought at Armageddon for the freedom of mankind:
I fought, and you fought, and here our bones lie strewn.
The flesh is stript from off us, the chains remain behind,
And the freedom that we fought for is an unremembered tune.