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OUR PRISONERS OF WAR IN GERMANY, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Prisoners to a foe inhuman, oh! But our hearts rebel
Last Line: Follows perdition eternal ... And it has begun.
Alternate Author Name(s): Bridges, Robert+(2)
Subject(s): World War I - Prisoners


Prisoners to a foe inhuman, Oh! but our hearts rebel:
Defenceless victims ye are, in claws of spite a prey,
Conquering your torturers, enduring night and day
Malice, year-long drawn out your noble spirits to quell.
Fearsomer than death this rack they ranged, and reckon'd well
'Twould harrow our homes, and plied, such devilish aim had they,
That England roused to rage should wrong with wrong repay,
And smirch her envied honour in deeds unspeakable.

Nor trouble we just Heaven that quick revenge be done
On Satan's chamberlains highseated in Berlin;
Their reek floats round the world on all lands 'neath the sun:
Tho' in craven Germany was no man found, not one
With spirit enough to cry Shame!—Nay, but on such sin
Follows Perdition eternal ... and it has begun.





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