 | Vigil and vision |  |
85
ΠΕΡΙΛΕΙΜ(ΜΑ ΕΘΝΙΚΟΝ.
HOW long shall we the pregnant words o'erhear,Unheeding, in the Hebrew Writ that stand,
“The poor shall never cease out of the land”?
How long silk purse to fashion of sow's ear
Strive and to cause the dregs of race run clear?
How long with dulcet speech and usance bland
Seek to tame rat and wolf, that understand
No law but force, that know no faith but fear?
When shall we learn that kindness cruelty
Sheer is to him that is his passions' slave,
That from himself there's nothing him can save,
From Death's red furnace-mouth and ruin's maw,
But discipline, enforcing Truth's decree,
And stern fulfilment of an equal law?
| Vigil and vision | |