Stanza 127


127

The militant allows the crowd to vent
Their angry passions until they consent
To listen to his council and advice.
"Do not allow the sinners to entice
You to attack the target they have set.
It often is too easy to forget
That enemies can harness your desires
By doing something evil, which inspires
Your hatred. If in passion you engage
The enemy in places where your rage
Will aid him in destroying you, you lose.
But if instead, the righteous man subdues
His hatred to accommodate his needs,
He will attempt an action that succeeds.
While the marines constructed something vile,
It would be better not to make a trial
Of our ability upon the ground
The enemy has chosen. Such unsound
Decisions would severely compromise
Our hopes for any tactical surprise."