We are very slightly changed <br />From the semi-apes who ranged <br />India's Prehistoric clay; <br />He that drew the longest bow <br />Ran his brother down, you know, <br />As we run men down to-day. <br /> <br />"Dowb," the first of all his race, <br />Met the Mammoth face to face <br />On the lake or in the cave: <br />Stole the steadiest canoe, <br />Ate the quarry others slew, <br />Died -- and took the finest grave. <br /> <br />When they scratched the reindeer-bone, <br />Some one made the sketch his own, <br />Filched it from the artist -- then, <br />Even in those early days, <br />Won a simple Viceroy's praise <br />Through the toil of other men. <br />Ere they hewed the Sphinx's visage <br />Favouritism governed kissage, <br />Even as it does in this age. <br /> <br />Who shall doubt "the secret hid <br />Under Cheops' pyramid" <br />Was that the contractor did <br />Cheops out of several millions? <br />Or that Joseph's sudden rise <br />To comptroller of Supplies <br />Was a fraud of monstrous size <br />On King Pharaoh's swart Civilians? <br /> <br />Thus, the artless songs I sing <br />Do not deal with anything <br />New or never said before. <br />As it was in the beginning <br />Is to-day official sinning, <br />And shall be for evermore!<br /><br />Rudyard Kipling<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-general-summary/
