Another: on the nature of the conflict

[avevale_intelligencer]

This war is not a war of rival creeds
Or clans or races; 't is not fought for land
Or power, glory, wealth; please understand
These are excuses, which like fecund weeds
Shield from scavenging birds the precious seeds
Of truth. No holy cause, no prize so grand,
Inflames the heart, puts bloody sword in hand,
Strews slaughtered corpses o'er the flowery meads.

This is the war of those who would make war
'Gainst those who would not. What more need be said?
And with each battle, each unnumbered dead
On either side, they gain one conquest more.
When we engage them, thus we prove them right;
If we would conquer them, we dare not fight.