The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1892-01-08
Looking Backward.

tmce in the newspaper war has come,
Andall should rejoice, both old and young,
rornaight arises in such a war
From which either party can credit draw
II uually springs from some personal feeling,
Andlhrough all its course there's nothing Of healing
t.orneilher will cease but is eager for more
AND each Liter writing is worse than before.
oonOw as the smoke floats quietly away
And Peace for the present no DIS calmly her sway,
Andas each of the warriors is couutng his scars,
Leus briefly oerook the field OF red Mars,
rorrf It's reviewed without feeling or ietter,
Twill point TO moral-a way that is better.
Farback DER the field, away to the rear,
lheiiring began in the spring of the year
When one ci the warriors, with gentle conceit
Volunteered IN public his verse to repeat
Athe time he doubtless pLeared out Of place,
Andh effort somewhat lacking in grace
Buthe wrote his regret and to all it was plain
hat mere in the future 'twoud happen again.
Forhe saw his mstake-so then twas unkind
In the other, so strongly to speak out his mind
reply came at once adding fuel to fire
AND The heat OF tire conflict rose higher and higher
4 epan OF the battle ppeared from the start
l o alternate blows just one week apart.
Bat later one warrior this order did spurn
Andso, as it were he wrote out of turn.
And thus it then happened together they struck
Which was after all piece of good luck,
For each from III. conflict appeared to withdraw
iheone to his shop, tie other to law.
Ana here might have ended this bootless ARRAY
foi host lies ceased and Peace held her sway
And the field of the conActwas soon clothed in green
ana all the surroundings were calm and serene.
Whe summers soft breezes played over the plain
Nowwarmed by the sunshine, now cooled by the rain
butwelI is it said that storm succeeds calm
AND war may burst forth with the slightest alarm
Ant 50 what had seemed closed campaign
was by one of the warriors reopened again,
And soon the other OF legal lore
Came back 10 the fight more fierce than before.
Ana less than the time it takes 10 tell
lhey both were at it again, pell NELL
Each fought the other with might aud main
9isht heed bong given 10 scratch pain
Onul 1t began to recall to many
The nursery tale of the Goats OF Kknny"
Whit the end would be nobody knew
FOR they fought with fury which hercer grew,
Butone who had cIcsely followed the fight
Justly decided he had the right
10 put end to that sort of trash
And so did both OF them kindly thresh
Now when their ardor has somewhat cooled
They'll see from vhlti llvs heyve both been fooled
Nov my legal lriend-l II speak no palmer,
For this kind of suit you'll get no retainer
For one and all can readily see
That poor sort Of fight indeed it must be
When success IS decided by this strong test
nat the hardest things SAID sidered the best
30 here is the dross OF the victors pef
That he very seldom advances himself
And next my friend Of shop and wares
A tight like this doesn't sweeten the cares
Which commonly comes into every life,
Fen though enlivened by drum and fife
mere was time when perhaps twas felt
That he with you had too harshly dealt,
But since the fight again you stirred
You've much received and much deserved
And now if an end to war has been made
Let sach follow closely his peaceful trade
For both OF you surely will better fare
When sword is changed to plowman's share,
And the cannon and gun no longer roar,
And passion for poetry hereafter is DER
For whether it frozen" or stamped out" be
It's all the same if no more we see
Since honJrs in ottry which will not fade
Come only to poets born-not made.
Then kindly refrain while here you stay
And perchance at some future day
You join each other in realms above
You may tune your harp to songs Of love,
And sing throu the ages of endless time
song more perfect in oects and rhyme,
And should you now for such blessing aspire,
With zeal as strong as your recent ire
Your future'll be happy beyond compare
Since nothing to vex annoy will be there
For the present is only the germ Of the time,
Which may later unfold in happier cline
And all OF us know there exists power
Through which the bud may become the flower
Human life is the same, though OF higher degree,
And the earnest purpose of each should be
The best that is in him at length to bring,
To blossom throughout an eternal spring.
ybury, Dec. 90 1901