 | Poems descriptive, dramatic, legendary and contemplative |  |
[II. Thousands must perish in this hopeless strife]
Thousands must perish in this hopeless strife,And other thousands, withering as they stand,
Grow old in the long conflict waged for life!—
The conflict not for homes, or gold, or land,
But the rare privilege of rule,—command
Over the meaner spirits that surround—
And worship while they mock—that starry band,
They call ambitious! Rivalry and Blame
Attend their footsteps,—envy, and the host
Of reptile passions that delight to wound
The spirits whom their hatred honor's most,—
And worse, Ingratitude!—that still from fame
Plucks its best laurel, as if loth to know
How much it owes and cannot help but owe.
| Poems descriptive, dramatic, legendary and contemplative | |