A Song for My Son (Classic Reprint)
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Excerpt from A Song for My Son
Proem.
This monarch, with some deep intent, but unrevealed (nor scroll nor stone
Is left for our enlightenment, so this must needs remain unknown),
Conceived a method passing strange to practise with a certain isle -
One small, but fair, and within range of his own trumpets - for a while.
He suddenly, not deigning word of change in purpose to the few
There dwelling (a barbaric herd), all signs of sovereignty withdrew!
His court, his ministers, his seat of judgment, and his glittering guard
Were straight removed afar, complete was the abandonment, nor ward,
Nor aid, nor countenance of him had that lone people any more.
Savage they were, yet weak, and dim of intellect, and harassed sore
On every side by ruthless foes: where should they look for help - to whom?
Royal force withdrawn, great were their woes, and miserable seemed their doom.
This king had ever sought to train his people to rely in chief
On their own strength and skill, in vain their supplications for relief
Ere they had strenuously wrought their utmost - all that in them lay,
Of craft or talent leaving naught untried, and in th' incessant fray
Acquitting them as valiant men, well plying hand or wielding blade,
Then - for he knew - and not till then, did he put forth his hand to aid.
What, then, had moved their father-king to leave them in such plight as this?
Not wrath at some great trespassing, for sure such method were not his,
His anger raged not, blind, to smite alike the greater and the less,
Making his enemies to bite the dust in mere vindictiveness
(Like one whereof we read), his laws were plain, their penalties direct,
His proclamation ran: "Such cause, inevitable such effect."
Propitiation had no part - no power - availed not a whit,
Nay, all untutored in such art, this simple race knew naught of it.
Neither vicarous sacrifice, one, sure, had been accounted mad
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