make a plea

Having said this much, perhaps I can ask you in return that these critics should recognize that the administration, which now bears responsibility for the conduct of our foreign affairs, does not admire force for its own sake, or brinkmanship of any sort.

He knows they are in the short strokes—it's almost over.

So I stood alone in horror / Paralyzed with fear and dread / When a voice dead and inhuman / Whispered to me go, you fool, Warren's dead!