Counsel

It takes us such long time to understand
That God is God, and man can be but man.
We live and labor for a little span;
We wait, and watch, and fertilize our land, —
And all for what? — that war's all-wasting brand
May spread its dearth according to God's plan;
And still we vainly strive beneath the ban,
And think against this God to set our hand.

Oh, all my brothers, rest a space from strife, —
Let each one with no murmur live his life.
Will ye make glad our tyrant's eyes and ears,
Ey sound of sighs and sight of bitter tears?
Not so; but rather spite the God on high,
By showing Him how men can live and die.