Verse > Oscar Wilde > Poems
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Oscar Wilde (1854–1900).  Poems.  1881.

8. Libertatis Sacra Fames


ALBEIT nurtured in democracy, 
  And liking best that state republican 
  Where every man is Kinglike and no man 
Is crowned above his fellows, yet I see, 
Spite of this modern fret for Liberty,         5
  Better the rule of One, whom all obey, 
  Than to let clamorous demagogues betray 
Our freedom with the kiss of anarchy. 
Wherefore I love them not whose hands profane 
  Plant the red flag upon the piled-up street  10
  For no right cause, beneath whose ignorant reign 
Arts, Culture, Reverence, Honour, all things fade, 
  Save Treason and the dagger of her trade, 
  And Murder with his silent bloody feet. 


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