University of Virginia Library


44

THE TWO TYRANNIES.

1815–1915.

June 19, 1915.
Not against France we fought at Waterloo,
But Tyranny—broad, cosmopolitan,
Incarnate in the little Corsican,
Who set a world-dominion in his view:
His soul no nation limitation knew—
He sought to hold all nations in his span;
Europe was but his stance: he was a Man!
And where his spirit flash'd his eagles flew!
But who is this before the footlights now,
That would the bold Napoleon rôle assume,
And has not strength to venture “but a pace”?
We know him by his non-imperial brow,
His whiskers and his scabbard, spurs and plume—
William the Would-Be, vainest of his race!