The War-Makers

Who are the Makers of Wars?     The Kings of the earth.     And who are these Kings of the earth?     Only men--not always even men of worth,     But claiming rule by right of birth.     And Wisdom?--does that come by birth?     Nay then--too often the reverse.     Wise father oft has son perverse;     Solomon's son was Israel's curse.     Why suffer things to reason so averse?     It always has been so,     And only now does knowledge grow     To that high point where all men know--     Who would be free must strike the blow.     And how long will man suffer so?     Until his soul of Freedom sings,     And, strengthened by his sufferings,     He breaks the worn-out leading-strings,     And calls to stricter reckonings     Those costliest things--unworthy Kings.     Not all are worthless.    Some, with sense of duty,     Strive to invest their lives with grace and beauty.     To such--high honour!    But the rest--self-seekers,     Pride-puffed--out with them!--useless mischief-makers!     The time is past when any man or nation     Will meekly bear unrighteous domination.     The time is come when every burden-bearer     Must, in the fixing of his load, be sharer.