THE CHANCELLOR mused as he nibbled his pen <br /> (Sure no Minister ever looked wiser), <br />And said, “I can summon a million of men <br /> To fight for their country and Kaiser; <br /> <br />“While that shallow charlatan ruling o’er France, <br /> Who deems himself deeper than Merlin, <br />Thinks he and his soldiers have only to dance <br /> To the tune of the Can-can to Berlin. <br /> <br />“But as soon as he gets to the bank of the Rhine, <br /> He’ll be met by the great German army.” <br />Then the Chancellor laughed, and he said, “I will dine, <br /> For I see nothing much to alarm me.” <br /> <br />Yet still as he went out he paused by the door <br /> (For his mind was in truth heavy laden), <br />And he saw a stout fellow, equipped for the war, <br /> Embracing a fair-haired young maiden. <br /> <br />“Ho! ho!” said the Chancellor, “this will not do, <br /> For Mars to be toying with Venus, <br />When these Frenchmen are coming—a rascally crew!— <br /> And the Rhine only flowing between us.” <br /> <br />So the wary old fox, just in order to hear, <br /> Strode one or two huge paces nearer; <br />And he heard the youth say, “More than life art thou dear; <br /> But, O loved one, the Fatherland’s dearer.” <br /> <br />Then the maid dried her tears and looked up in his eyes, <br /> And she said, “Thou of loving art worthy: <br />When all are in danger no brave man e’er flies, <br /> And thy love should spur on—not deter thee.” <br /> <br />The Chancellor took a cigar, which he lit, <br /> And he muttered, “Here ’s naught to alarm me; <br />By Heaven! I swear they are both of them fit <br /> To march with the great German army.”<br /><br />Arthur Patchett Martin<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/love-and-war-2/
