George William ("A. E.") Russell (1867-1935). Collected Poems by A.E. 1913.
Three Counsellors
IT was the fairy of the place,
Moving within a little light,
Who touched with dim and shadowy grace
The conflict at its fever height.
It seemed to whisper "Quietness," 5
Then quietly itself was gone:
Yet echoes of its mute caress
Were with me as the years went on.
It was the warrior within
Who called "Awake, prepare for fight: 10
Yet lose not memory in the din:
Make of thy gentleness thy might:
"Make of thy silence words to shake
The long-enthroned kings of earth:
Make of thy will the force to break 15
Their towers of wantonness and mirth."
It was the wise all-seeing soul
Who counselled neither war nor peace:
"Only be thou thyself that goal
In which the wars of time shall cease." 20
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