The Poetical Works of George Barlow In Ten [Eleven] Volumes |
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LEADERLESS
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 | The Poetical Works of George Barlow |  |
193
LEADERLESS
SONNET
What hope for England, if no man be found
With brain to succour, and with strength to lead?
Earth yet may witness, if no soul gives heed,
A once Imperial race debased, discrowned.
To widen Empire to earth's furthest bound
Is not to rule, to triumph, to succeed.
We fought for Freedom? Nay, we fought for greed.
Wild lust for gold runs noblest states aground.
With brain to succour, and with strength to lead?
Earth yet may witness, if no soul gives heed,
A once Imperial race debased, discrowned.
To widen Empire to earth's furthest bound
Is not to rule, to triumph, to succeed.
We fought for Freedom? Nay, we fought for greed.
Wild lust for gold runs noblest states aground.
On Empire's giddiest height to-day we stand:
Who climbs so hugely wins the whole world's hate:
One false step hurls from heaven to deepest hell.
Yet, careless, strolling onward hand in hand,
Our youths and maidens throng round Pleasure's gate,
And our grey statesmen murmur, “All is well.”
Who climbs so hugely wins the whole world's hate:
One false step hurls from heaven to deepest hell.
Yet, careless, strolling onward hand in hand,
Our youths and maidens throng round Pleasure's gate,
And our grey statesmen murmur, “All is well.”
July 30, 1901.
| The Poetical Works of George Barlow | |