"Today's verse about the inevitable violence of war
is as true today as when it was first written.
The writer was a Scottish poet who is thought to
have killed himself by drowning 100 years ago."
Source: The UK International 14/07/09

The war of words is done:
The red-lipped cannon
speak;
The battle has begun.
The web your speeches
spun
Tears and blood shall
streak;
The war of words is done
Smoke enshrouds the sun;
Earth staggers at the shriek
Of battle new begun.
Poltroons and braggarts
run:
Woe to the poor, the meek!
The war of words is done.
"And hope not now to shun
The doom that dogs the
weak"
Thunders every gun;
"Victory must be won."
When the red-lipped
cannon speak,
The war of words is done,
The slaughter has begun.