Mary Robinson: Impetuous War, the lord of slaughter

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Anti-war essays, poems, short stories and literary excerpts

British writers on peace and war

Women writers on peace and war

Mary Robinson: Selections on war

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Mary Robinson
From Lines to the Rev. J. Whitehouse

Next, o’er the wondering throng impetuous War,
The lord of slaughter, roll’d his brazen car!
A flaming brand the red-eyed monster held,
And waved it high in air, and madly yell’d!
While Horror bathed in agonizing dew,
Before his rattling wheels distracted flew;
Down his gaunt breast fast stream’d the scalding tear,
And now he groan’d aloud, now shrunk with fear;
His humid front was crown’d with bristling hair,
His glance was frenzy, and his voice, despair!

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Though Envy’s eye, or Hate’s remorseless rage,
May strive to dim the philosophic page;
Though War’s hot breath may blast the wreath of Fame;
Immortal Time shall consecrate thy name.