POETRY.
HYMN BY A SMALL OFFICIAL.
Arr., great Diplomacy, prim go-between,
Gloved with soft fur and glib with clever cant,— With art of never saying what you mean, And skill in rarely getting -what you want !
0 great Prestige ! to you I bow me low, Hero with padded leg and hand on dagger,— Swagg'ring, but if you see the coming blow Ready with explanation of your swagger.
Calm Status-quo, pursue, majestic friend, The even tenour of your rape and slaughter. Mild Laissez-faire, before your feet I bend,
And offer up my neighbour's wife and daughter.
O Balance of all powers, odd and even ; 0 pure of heart, can Mercy's self be purer? O Balance, all awry 'twixt hell and heaven, Can scales of simple Justice be the surer?
Wheels within wheels, that make long struggles longer, A land's a-fire, and you with oil have fed her ; Strong are men's hearts, but surely words are stronger; Red is man's blood, but surely tape is redder !
J. R. S.
Previous page
