Are they clinging to their crosses, <br /> F. E. Smith, <br />Where the Breton boat-fleet tosses, <br /> Are they, Smith? <br />Do they, fasting, trembling, bleeding, <br /> Wait the news from this our city? <br />Groaning "That's the Second Reading!" <br /> Hissing "There is still Committee!" <br />If the voice of Cecil falters, <br /> If McKenna's point has pith, <br />Do they tremble for their altars? <br /> Do they, Smith? <br /> <br />Russian peasants round their pope <br /> Huddled, Smith, <br />Hear about it all, I hope, <br /> Don't they, Smith? <br />In the mountain hamlets clothing <br /> Peaks beyond Caucasian pales, <br />Where Establishment means nothing <br /> And they never heard of Wales, <br />Do they read it all in Hansard -- <br /> With a crib to read it with -- <br />"Welsh Tithes: Dr. Clifford answered." <br /> Really, Smith? <br /> <br />In the lands where Christians were, <br /> F. E. Smith, <br />In the little lands laid bare, <br /> Smith, O Smith! <br />Where the Turkish bands are busy <br /> And the Tory name is blessed <br />Since they hailed the Cross of Dizzy <br /> On the banners from the West! <br />Men don't think it half so hard if <br /> Islam burns their kin and kith, <br />Since a curate lives in Cardiff <br /> Saved by Smith. <br /> <br />It would greatly, I must own, <br /> Soothe me, Smith! <br />If you left this theme alone, <br /> Holy Smith! <br />For your legal cause or civil <br /> You fight well and get your fee; <br />For your God or dream or devil <br /> You will answer, not to me. <br />Talk about the pews and steeples <br /> And the cash that goes therewith! <br />But the souls of Christian peoples... <br /> Chuck it, Smith!<br /><br />Gilbert Keith Chesterton<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/antichrist-or-the-reunion-of-christendom-an-ode-2/
