________________
96
THE JAINA GAZETTE
A CRUSADE. Ho! men and women of good will, attention if you please, The call has come for volunteers, will you enlist with these? We're few, a forlorn hope at most, the nucleus of a band, Come will you share the glory and with us take your stand ? We've entered on a great crusade, our cause is just and right, But we are sore outnumbered and lack the means to fight; We're short of all things needful, men, money, transport, all, So the call for help is broadcast, say will you heed the call ? Our banner we have hoisted, our banner gold and blue Is waving in the sunshine and waits to welcome you; The World League of Ahimsa is calling for your aid, Come quit the cause of cruelty and join the great crusade.
Our watchword is compassion, and all sub-human life Looks to our ranks to save them from lancet, gun and knife ; Our battle-cry is mercy, we've sworn to rout its foes, And hopes forlorn have won ere now as every Indian knows. We're out to help the helpless, to aid the under-dog, To stay the wanton slaughter, dispel the blood-red fog That broods a foul miasmi, a blight on every hand, To make the rights of animals a factor in the land. So help our great endeavour, so render us your aid, Remember those not for us against us are arrayed; No better cause have minstrels extolled with harp and song Than aiding the defenceless, the weak against the strong. So come and join our venture, in tens and hundreds come, We sound the charge this morning with trumpet and with
drum, Our banner's flying bravely, our hearts are tuned to fight, So may God aid the great crusade, may God defend the right 1
E. F. UDNEY.
Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com
