God’s pity on you, regimented slaves. <br />Who work your master’s foulness on the land, <br />Pollute with treachery the friendly waves <br />and taint the heavens with murder at <br /> command <br />The shattered cities flaming to the skies, <br />The desolation of the fatherless, <br />The staring hatred in unnumbered eyes, <br />These are your trophies in the wilderness. <br />For these you trade imperishable things, <br />Liberty, truth and kindness by the way, <br />And lose Eternities inheritings <br />In fevered grasping at a waning day. <br />Listen, and tremble, to our battle cry— <br />Behold we live and you can only die!<br /><br />Richard Elwes<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/dunkirk-may-1940/
