General George S. Patton, Jr.: Peace—November 11, 1918

• I stood in the flag-decked cheering crowd 
• Where all but I were gay, 
• And gazing on their extasy, 
• My heart shrank in dismay.

• For theirs was the joy of the “little folk” 
• The cruel glee of the weak, 
• Who, banded together, have slain the strong 
• Which none alone dared seek.

• The Bosch we know was a hideous beast 
• Beyond our era’s ban, 
• But soldiers still must honor the Hun 
• As a mighty fighting man.

• The vice he had was strong and real 
• Of virtue he had none, 
• Yet he fought the world remorselessly 
• And very nearly won…

• And looking forward I could see 
• Like a festering sewer; 
• Full of the fecal Pacifists 
• Which peace makes us endure….

• None of the hold and blatant sin 
• The disregard of pain, 
• The glorious deeds of sacrifice 
• Which follow in war’s train.

• Instead of these the little lives 
• Will blossom as before, 
• Pale bloom of creatures all too weak 
• To hear the light of war.

• While we whose spirits wider range 
• Can grasp the joys of strife, 
• Will moulder in the virtuous vice 
• Of futile peaceful life.

• We can but hope that e’re we drown 
• ‘Neath treacle floods of grace, 
• The tuneless horns of mighty Mars 
• Once more shall rouse the Race

• When such times come, Oh! God of War 
• Grant that we pass midst strife, 
• Knowing once more the whitehot joy 
• Of taking human life.

• Then pass in peace, blood-glutted Bosch 
• And when we too shall fall, 
• We’ll clasp in yours our gory hands 
• In High Valhallas’ Hall.

George S. Patton Jr. (1885-1945) was a general in the United States Army who commanded the Seventh United States Army in the Mediterranean theater during World War II. While better known for his sword than his pen, Patton penned this poem about war and peace on the day of the armistice that concluded World War I. According to Military.com, the poem was included in a Library of Congress exhibit marking the centennial of World War I. Military.com quotes the explanatory note included in the exhibit: “Patton’s poem mourned the loss during peacetime of the virtues that he believed war inspired, such as sacrifice and purpose.”