On the Abuse of Power and Public Property

Them morn and evening joy eternal greets, And for them thousands and ten thousands moil, Gathering from land, and ocean honied sweets, For them, who in soft indolence the while And slumb'ring peace enjoy the luscious spoil; And as they view around the careful bees, Forespent with labour and incessant toil, With the sweet contrast learn themselves to please, And heighten by compare the luxury of ease.

Ungenerous man, quoth then the fairy knight, That can rejoice to see another's woe! And thou unworthy of that glory bright, Wherewith the Gods have deck'd thy princely brow, That doth on sloth and gluttony bestow, The hard-earn'd fruits of industry and pain, And to the dogs the labourer's morsel throw, Unmindful of the hand that sow'd the grain, The poor earth-trodden root of all thy greatness vain.

Oh foul abuse of sacred majesty, That boasteth her fair self from Heav'n ysprong! Where are the marks of thy divinity? Truth, mercy, justice steady, bold and strong, To aid the meek, and curb oppressive wrong? Where is the care and love of public good, That to the people's father doth belong? Where the vice-gerent of that bounteous God, Who bids dispense to all, what he for all bestow'd?