C.D. Warner, et al., comp.
The Library of the World’s Best Literature. An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.
Struggle and Peace
By Johanna Ambrosius (1854–1939)
A
No sabre clash nor powder smoke,
No triumph song nor battle cry;
Their shields no templared knights stood by.
Though fought were many battles hot,
Of any fight the world knew not
How great the perils often grew—
God only knew.
In hands and feet wounds bleeding borne,
Trodden beneath the chargers’ tread,
How I endured, felt, suffered, bled,
How wept and groaned I in my woe,
When scoffed the malice-breathing foe,
How pierced his scorn my spirit through,
God only knew.
The struggle wild doth weaker grow;
The air with scarce a sigh is filled
From the pale mouth; the blood is stilled.
Quieted now my bitter pain;
A faint star lights the heavenly plain;
Peace cometh after want and woe—
My God doth know.