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Page 1
MARKHAM, EDWIN OCT 9, 1915
May Wright Sewall
Dear Friend:
I'm sending you some lines inspired by our passion for peace. They are not so good as they ought to be for so great a cause. But they are as good as I can make them in the midst of the whirlwind of events that is rushing over me. You are at liberty to suggest changes; and of course you will not use them at all if they do not happen to strike the right note.
It was a great pleasure to meet you again at the Ebell Society and to hear the noble words that leaped out of your heart alive to noble sympathies. My your years be long for your great service in the cause of humanity.
Edwin Markham.
[in margins:
After a while I shall write several poems in peace, and shall want to send them to you. E.M
I am at 1118 Stangan St. S.F. today, but for the rest of the week I'll be at 12 South Fifth Street, San Jose
Page 2
Women, Arise!
Inscribed to the International Conference of Women Workers. by Edwin Markham.
Men - they have failed to build the world in joy: Behold the dust of Babylon and Troy Behold Palmyra faded to a name Behold all Europe black with battle flame! O mothers, will you longer give your sons To Feed the awful hunget of the guns? O women of earth, this is an hour of fate: Come forth to build the safety of the State!
What is the worth of all these battle drums If from the field the loved one never comes? What all these loud hozannas to the brave If all you share is some forgotten grave? What all these flags rejoicing overhead If you are left to watch above your dead? O women of earth, this is an hour of fate: Come forth to build the safety of the State!