OUR TREATY.

Don’t whisper words of love’s support
When words of war are thought of,
And bought for more
Than last year’s best,
And sold for less than water.

But if those words of bluff appear
Then I indeed will fear them;
Sincere or not
Of innocence
I know who last revered them.

An instance of the words avowed
Was writ in ages louder;
Renowned by all
Their enemies,
And dryer than most powder.

And used more than most words should be
Until misunderstood;
For good or bad
Their influence
Was felt by all who could.

But myth became of words like these
Once spread across the sea;
Free to grow old
Their memory
Was filed away with ease.

So don’t recount these words tonight,
Close lips and pages tighter,
Retire your tongue
Behind your teeth,
Let me be the reciter.