“Sink Without a Trace”
TO his dark minions undersea
Flashed the Imperial decree:
Sink Everything!
Spare naught! Sink everything that floats:
Merchantmen, liners, fishing boats;
Sink ships on Mercy’s errand sped,
Dye Christ’s red cross a deeper red:
Sink Everything!
Sink honor, faith, forbearance, ruth;
Sink virtue, chivalry, and truth,
Sink Everything!
Sink everything that men hold dear,
That devils hate, that cowards fear,
All that lifts Man above the ape,
That marks him cast in God’s own shape:
Sink Everything!
OLIVER HERFORD.