I saw the Prince of Darkness, with his Staff, <br />Standing bare-headed by the Cenotaph: <br />Unostentatious and respectful, there <br />He stood, and offered up the following prayer. <br />'Make them forget, O Lord, what this Memorial <br />Means; their discredited ideas revive; <br />Breed new belief that War is purgatorial <br />Proof of the pride and power of being alive; <br />Men's biologic urge to readjust <br />The Map of Europe, Lord of Hosts, increase; <br />Lift up their hearts in large destructive lust; <br />And crown their heads with blind vindictive Peace.' <br />The Prince of Darkness to the Cenotaph <br />Bowed. As he walked away I heard him laugh.<br /><br />Siegfried Sassoon<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/at-the-cenotaph/
