RAIN IN BELGIUM

The heavy rain falls down, falls down, On city streets whence all have fled, Where tottering ruins skyward frown Above the staring silent dead. Here shall ye raise your Kaiser’s throne, Stained with the blood for freedom shed. Here where men choked for breath in vain Who in fair fight had all withstood, Here on this poison-haunted plain, Made rich with babes’ and women’s blood, Here shall ye plant your German grain, Here shall ye reap your children’s food. The harvest ripens—Reaper come! Bring children singing Songs of Hate Taught by the mother in the home— Fit comrade she for such a mate. Soon shall ye reap what ye have sown; God’s mills grind thoroughly though late. The heavy rain beats down, beats down; I hear in it the tramp of Fate! Lilla Cabot Perry