Demos II

So little have you seen of what awaits

Your fevered glimpse of a democracy

Confused and foiled with an equality

Not equal to the envy it creates,

That you see not how near you are the gates

Of an old king who listens fearfully

To you that are outside and are to be

The noisy lords of imminent estates.

Rather be then your prayer that you shall have

Your kingdom undishonored. Having all,

See not the great among you for the small,

But hear their silence; for the few shall save

The many, or the many are to fall —

Still to be wrangling in a noisy grave.