Henry Van Dyke (Генри Ван Дайк)
A Scrap of Paper
”Will you go to war just for a scrap of paper?” -- Question of the German Chancellor to the British Ambassador, August 5, 1914. A mocking question! Britain’s answer came Swift as the light and searching as the flame. ”Yes, for a scrap of paper we will fight Till our last breath, and God defend the right! ”A scrap of paper where a name is set Is strong as duty’s pledge and honor’s debt. ”A scrap of paper holds for man and wife The sacrament of love, the bond of life. ”A scrap of paper may be Holy Writ With God’s eternal word to hallow it. ”A scrap of paper binds us both to stand Defenders of a neutral neighbor land. ”By God, by faith, by honor, yes! We fight To keep our name upon that paper white.”
Henry Van Dyke’s other poems:
