The crown of Caesar glittering on his brow,
The sword of Nero clanking at his side,
His giant hand made crimson in the tide
Of Life, insatiate Mammon feigns to bow
Before the altar of the Prince of Peace.
How long, O God in heaven, wilt thou bide
This mockery of the lowly Christ who died
That sin and greed and enmity might cease?
Not Holy Wars nor death of heretics,
Nor rich cathedrals towering to the sky,
Nor bended knee before the crucifix,
Nor any faith in form can sanctify;
But Brotherhood devoid of selfish strife,
And Love, the incense of a noble life.