""These are verses that came to me in this dreadful war time amid the cares and labors of a heavy task. Two of the poems, ""A Scrap of Paper"" and ""Stand Fast,"" were written in 1914 and bore the signature Civis Americanus-the use of my own name at the time being impossible. Two others, ""Lights Out"" and ""Remarks about Kings,"" were read for me by Robert Underwood Johnson at the meeting of the American Academy in Boston, November, 1915, at which I was unable to be present. The rest of the verses were printed after I had resigned my diplomatic post and was free to say what I thought and felt, without reserve. The ""Interludes in Holland"" are thoughts of the peaceful things that will abide for all the world after we have won this war against war."" This book is part of the World War One Centenary series; creating, collating and reprinting new and old works of poetry, fiction, autobiography and analysis. The series forms a commemorative tribute to mark the passing of one of the world's bloodiest wars, offering new perspectives on this tragic yet fascinating period of human history. Each publication also includes brand new introductory essays and a timeline to help the reader place the work in its historical context.