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Show l WNW l llllll carried back German methods, the cult of German science. And to me, on my illiterate island, little German cities, 3 Munich, a Dresden, where the theatre was classic and inexpensive, and the opera a form of art and not a social display, loomed like models of civilisation. Why must Germany challenge the world on the lower plane of brute matter? It is only the inferior peoples that need the sword. The Turks have had to mle with a rod of iron-they had no right but might, no gift for the world. Such races must assert themselves in fire and write their edicts in blood. But fire burns down and blood dries up and fades, and the only durable influence is the power of the spirit. Fatal perversity of Germany-to have misunderstood her own greatness! Proud in her pseudo-philosophy, she has repeated "man's first disobedience" --she has ignored the divine voice, she has listened to the lower promptings of the serpent. There will never be a Paradise again for man till he bends his ear to a truer philosopher than Treitschke to a prince of peace : Till one greater man Restore us and regain the blissful seat. / By EDITH WHARTON BELGIUM La Behgique ne regrette rien. Not with her ruined silver spires, Not with her cities shamed and rent, Perish the imperishable fires That shape the homestead from the tent. Wherever men are staunch and free, There shall she keep her fearless state, And, homeless, to great nations be The home of all that makes them great. Tat/W" ‘___-\ |
