The Call of the Carajás

(Prov. 24:11).
FROM Aragnaya’s silver strand there comes a sigh —
“Drawn unto death” and “ready to be slain” they lie.
Half gods, they live forlorn; half beasts, they die.
“WE KNEW IT NOT!”

The ever restless eye betrays the sense of loss —
For uncreate and void are thoughts of Grace or Cross —
Perishing hopeless, helpless; because, perforce,
“WE KNEW IT NOT!”

While love of country still such sacrifice can claim,
While thousands offer of their best to gilded fame,
Dare we, ignoring such a call, lightly exclaim,
“WE KNEW IT NOT?”