Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume VIII. National Spirit. 1904. | | | | I. Patriotism | | The Turk in Armenia | | William Watson (1858–1935) |
| | From “The Purple East”
WHAT profits it, O England, to prevail | |
| In camp and mart and council, and bestrew | |
| With argosies thy oceans, and renew | |
| With tribute levied on each golden gale | |
| Thy treasuries, if thou canst hear the wail | 5 |
| Of women martyred by the turbaned crew, | |
| Whose tenderest mercy was the sword that slew, | |
| And lift no hand to wield the purging flail? | |
| We deemed of old thou held’st a charge from Him | |
| Who watches girdled by his seraphim, | 10 |
| To smite the wronger with thy destined rod. | |
| Wait’st thou his sign? Enough, the unanswered cry | |
| Of virgin souls for vengeance, and on high | |
| The gathering blackness of the frown of God! | | | | |
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