<h2><SPAN name="page56"></SPAN><span class="pagenum"></span>THE EDICT OF THE SEX</h2>
<p class="poetry">Two thousand years had passed since Christ was
born,<br/>
When suddenly there rose a mighty host<br/>
Of women, sweeping to a central goal<br/>
As many rivers sweep on to the sea.<br/>
They came from mountains, valleys, and from coasts,<br/>
And from all lands, all nations, and all ranks,<br/>
Speaking all languages, but thinking one.<br/>
And that one language—Peace.</p>
<p class="poetry"> ‘Listen,’
they said,<br/>
And straightway was there silence on the earth,<br/>
For men were dumb with wonder and surprise.<br/>
‘Listen, O mighty masters of the world,<br/>
And hear the edict of all womankind:<br/>
Since Christ His new commandment gave to men,<br/>
<i>Love one another</i>, full two thousand years<br/>
Have passed away, yet earth is red with blood.<br/>
<SPAN name="page57"></SPAN><span class="pagenum"></span>The strong
male rulers of the world proclaim<br/>
Their weakness, when we ask that war shall cease.<br/>
Now will the poor weak women of the world<br/>
Proclaim their strength, and say that war shall end.<br/>
Hear, then, our edict: Never from this day<br/>
Will any woman on the crust of earth<br/>
Mother a warrior. We have sworn the oath<br/>
And will go barren to the waiting tomb<br/>
Rather than breed strong sons at war’s behest,<br/>
Or bring fair daughters into life, to bear<br/>
The pains of travail, for no end but war.<br/>
Ay! let the race die out for lack of babes<br/>
Better a dying race than endless wars!<br/>
Better a silent world than noise of guns<br/>
And clash of armies.</p>
<p class="poetry"> ‘Long
we asked for peace,<br/>
And oft you promised—but to fight again.<br/>
At last you told us, war must ever be<br/>
While men existed, laughing at our plea<br/>
For the disarmament of all mankind.<br/>
Then in our hearts flamed such a mad desire<br/>
For peace on earth, as lights the world at times<br/>
With some great conflagration; and it spread<br/>
From distant land to land, from sea to sea,<br/>
<SPAN name="page58"></SPAN><span class="pagenum"></span>Until all
women thought as with one mind<br/>
And spoke as with one voice; and now behold!<br/>
The great Crusading Syndicate of Peace,<br/>
Filling all space with one supreme resolve.<br/>
Give us, O men, your word that war shall end:<br/>
Disarm the world, and we will give you sons—<br/>
Sons to construct, and daughters to adorn<br/>
A beautiful new earth, where there shall be<br/>
Fewer and finer people, opulence<br/>
And opportunity and peace for all.<br/>
Until you promise peace no shrill birth-cry<br/>
Shall sound again upon the aging earth.<br/>
We wait your answer.’</p>
<p class="poetry"> And the
world was still<br/>
While men considered.</p>
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