English poem
The Black Riders & Other Lines/Once There Came a Man
by Stephen Crane (1871–1900)
Once there came a man Who said, "Range me all men of the world in rows." And instantly There was terrific clamour among the people Against being ranged in rows. There was a loud quarrel, world-wide. It endured for ages; And blood was shed By those who would not stand in rows, And by those who pined to stand in rows. Eventually, the man went to death, weeping. And those who staid in bloody scuffle Knew not the great simplicity.
More by Stephen Crane
- The Black Riders & Other Lines/"Tell brave deeds of war."
- The Black Riders & Other Lines/"Think as I think," said a man
- The Black Riders & Other Lines/"Truth," said a traveller
- The Black Riders & Other Lines/Black riders came from the sea.
- The chatter of a death-demon from a tree-top
- The ocean said to me once
- The successful man has thrust himself
- The trees in the garden rained flowers.