The Collected Songs of Charles Mackay With Illustrations by John Gilbert |
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| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
LESS THAN A MAN. |
 | The Collected Songs of Charles Mackay |  |
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LESS THAN A MAN.
I
When at the feet of wealth and powerHe'd kneel and flatter, cringe and cower,
Then haste some poorer man to spurn,
And play the tyrant in his turn;
Then is a man less than a man—
Then we pity him all we can.
II
When by his words he leads his friendsTo danger for his selfish ends,
And leaves them in the evil day
To stand or fall as best they may;
Then is a man less than a man—
Then we pity him all we can.
III
When without sowing he would reap;When he makes a vow he fails to keep;
When he would rather beg or steal,
Than labour for an honest meal;
Then is a man less than a man—
Then we pity him all we can.
IV
When by misfortune stricken down,He whines and whimpers through the town,
And never lifts his strong right arm
To save himself from further harm;
272
Then we pity him all we can.
V
Whene'er he plays the coward's part,And trifles with a woman's heart,
Or scorns, ill-uses, and deceives
The love that lingers and believes;
Then is a man less than a man—
Then we pity him all we can.
VI
When he delights in raising strife,Or values honour less than life;
When he insults a fallen foe,
Or at a woman aims a blow,
Then is a man less than a man—
Then we pity him all we can.
| The Collected Songs of Charles Mackay | |