COMPOSED AFTER READING A NEWSPAPER OF THE DAY

“People! your chains are severing link by link;

Soon shall the Rich be levelled down — the Poor

Meet them half-way.” Vain boast! for These, the more

They thus would rise, must low and lower sink

Till, by repentance stung, they fear to think;

While all lie prostrate, save the tyrant few

Bent in quick turns each other to undo,

And mix the poison they themselves must drink.

Mistrust thyself, vain Country! cease to cry,

“Knowledge will save me from the threatened woe.”

For, if than other rash ones more thou know,

Yet on presumptuous wing as far would fly

Above thy knowledge as they dared to go,

Thou wilt provoke a heavier penalty.