> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.hawkword.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Dogs of War
- URL: https://www.hawkword.com/poetry/dogs-of-war/
- Published: 2023-03-17T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2023-03-17T12:00:00.000Z
- Description: "Cry 'Havoc!', and let slip the dogs of war." Spoken by Marc Anthony in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar
- Author: A. Gee
- Tags: Poetry, Allpoetry Import, #Import 2026-04-25 19:56

"Cry 'Havoc!', and let slip the dogs of war."  
Spoken by Marc Anthony in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar

the dogs of war slipped newly loosened leashes  
their flea infested manes run stained with blood  
they roam the countryside, depraved and vicious  
leave grimy, mangy paw prints in the mud

yet every one of these was once a puppy  
so cute that smiles break out and hearts soon melt  
a mischievous and joyous ball of happy  
and now a skull and bones dressed in a pelt

what spawns a dog of war from such beginnings  
is there an inner flaw, a well bred trait  
how narrowly do men define their winnings  
how unconditional, how raw their hate

a dog of war is surely man's best friend  
devoted, loyal, faithful till the end