Sowers of discord, rancor, hate,
Who threaten and retaliate,
Will never garner my assent:
I will oppose till they relent.
They who attack, insult, and kill,
In order to project their will
Will never gain from me esteem,
Though their invective stream and stream.
A human life lasts but a day,
So let them holler as they may,
Or make attack through weaponry—
For I am not afraid to die.
They who disdain civilian calm,
Who loathe compassion, mercy’s balm—
They are not fit, and so they make
No quietus, but break and break.
Let me return their hate with love,
Their lowness let me rise above,
For though they skulk, and prowl, and scorn,
Inner peace I shall not suborn.