Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

War, Military Technology, Education, Nationalism, Agriculture

    Discusses the claim by Otto E L von Bismarck (Count of Bismarck-Schönhausen) that Germany must be made 'By Blood and Iron'. Notes that these are the means by which Germany is attempting to achieve peace, and that Germany is now reaping the harvest 'To be reaped 'gainst all gainsaying / Of foes', a 'harvest of patient Learning, / Of Peace's crafts and arts; / Of Science's sharp discerning, / And Labour's busy marts'. Warns that before blood and iron can 'yield this harvest rare / Right soil must seed the environ, / And nurture of breezes fair'.