Siegfried Sassoon

Here you will find thePoemAt The Cenotaphof poet Siegfried Sassoon

At The Cenotaph

I saw the Prince of Darkness, with his Staff, Standing bare-headed by the Cenotaph: Unostentatious and respectful, there He stood, and offered up the following prayer. 'Make them forget, O Lord, what this Memorial Means; their discredited ideas revive; Breed new belief that War is purgatorial Proof of the pride and power of being alive; Men's biologic urge to readjust The Map of Europe, Lord of Hosts, increase; Lift up their hearts in large destructive lust; And crown their heads with blind vindictive Peace.' The Prince of Darkness to the Cenotaph Bowed. As he walked away I heard him laugh.