The Politician
The Politician
Original Text
The Collected Poems of Wilfred Campbell (New York: Fleming H. Revell, 1905), p. 284. PS 8455 A6A17. Robarts Library.
1Carven in leathern mask or brazen face,
2 Were I time's sculptor, I would set this man.
3 Retreating from the truth, his hawk-eyes scan
4The platforms of all public thought for place.
5There wriggling with insinuating grace,
6 He takes poor hope and effort by the hand,
7 And flatters with half-truths and accents bland,
8Till even zeal and earnest love grow base.
9Knowing no right, save power's grim right-of-way;
10 No nobleness, save life's ignoble praise;
11No future, save this sordid day to day;
12 He is the curse of these material days:
13Juggling with mighty wrongs and mightier lies,
Notes
14] Dagon: pagan deity of the Philistines, an idol. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1904
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire
RPO Edition
RPO 1998.
Rhyme