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Show IMPROMPTU. A rhyme to write, what shall it bo 7 A tale of love a tragedy A merry joke to pass the time, Or an enigmatic rhyme? Ye gods I who rule -the lives of mon, Inspire my muse and guide the pen, That whatever subject may appear Shall servo to please and help to cheer. Life is full of mystery Turn to tho pages of history, And there outlined you'll plainly see Love that's blent with tragedy. The gallant knight with spurs of gold Into the dust, when vanquished rolled, While the prize ho sought from "lady fair" Has fallen to tho victor's share, The warrior, clad in armored mail, Before whose charge tho stoutest quail, With cross upon his blazoned shield, Calling upon the foo to yield! Those were the times when kings stood forth To lead their men and prove their worth; Foot to foot and hand to hand, Like gallant soldiers born to command. com-mand. But now behind thoir castle walls, Where no spent bullet near them falls, And the only danger that can como Must bo tho dreaded arcal bomb. Far from tho sccno whore death's rude hand Mows down thousands like grains of sand, Thcso lordly rulers of the earth Hold their revelry and mirth. And courtiers fawn and bend tho kneo To show their abject loyalty, For some honor, yet deferred, Just waiting for the royal word. And now wo sco in far off Wales, Tho ship of Progress, with trim Balls Taking for tho promised land Of equal rights for which they stand. Those hardy, honest sons of toil, Who wrest tho coal from 'neath thq soil, Knowing their time at length has come, Act like men no longer dumb. Unless they get the precious coal, There will soon bo no submarines at all, Nor drcadnaughts to deal out death and woe, In tho name of progress hero below. The time is coming slow but sure When world politics shall be more pure; And no longer men of selfish aim, Shall exploit the people just for fame. Too long these rulers had their sway, But oon a brighter, happier day Shall dawn upon a suffering world And the flag of discord shall be furled. Thomas Murnien. Oakland, Cal., July 20, 1016. |