Empire At Dawn Poem by Jerome Brooke

Free the captives, return them to Cebu,
Their oaths sworn.
Spare the son of mine enemy, their King,
Fallen and torn.

Rebuild their temples, our true altars raise,
Send bread to the South.
Their gold I hold to rebuild the fair Tacloban;
They have my oath.

Burn no more far Cebu, Cebu the Lost,
I say these words.
Call back my Legions, call back my captains,
Hold your swords.

My lords, why are you quiet, why mute,
What matter the cost?
Justice must rule in Cebu, truth will live,
For Cebu the Lost.