|
That there has been no victory or conquest
save that of principle, today's war makes
clear. Fought in justice's name, it partakes,
at root, of this progression, its fruit thus blest,
emergent, vindicated; that each contest
this goal entails: on playing-fields, in stakes
of nations waging war; the gains, mistakes,
infallibly must favour what is best
in principle: the outcome is the proof;
and every victory is its self-knowing;
the failure, too, likewise; till there must be
only the vindication felt, aloof
from all pride, of redeemed humanity,
each side: the cause and end of all wars showing. |
