How blest the land that counts among <br /> Her sons so many good and wise, <br /> To execute great feats of tongue <br /> When troubles rise. <br /> Behold them mounting every stump, <br /> By speech our liberty to guard. <br /> Observe their courage--see them jump, <br /> And come down hard! <br /> "Walk up, walk up!" each cries aloud, <br /> "And learn from me what you must do <br /> To turn aside the thunder cloud, <br /> The earthquake too. <br /> <br /> "Beware the wiles of yonder quack <br /> Who stuffs the ears of all that pass. <br /> I--I alone can show that black <br /> Is white as grass." <br /> <br /> They shout through all the day and break <br /> The silence of the night as well. <br /> They'd make--I wish they'd go and make-- <br /> Of Heaven a Hell. <br /> <br /> A advocates free silver, B <br /> Free trade and C free banking laws. <br /> Free board, clothes, lodging would from me <br /> Win wamr applause. <br /> <br /> Lo, D lifts up his voice: "You see <br /> The single tax on land would fall <br /> On all alike." More evenly <br /> No tax at all. <br /> <br /> "With paper money," bellows E, <br /> "We'll all be rich as lords." No doubt-- <br /> And richest of the lot will be <br /> The chap without. <br /> <br /> As many "cures" as addle-wits <br /> Who know not what the ailment is! <br /> Meanwhile the patient foams and spits <br /> Like a gin fizz. <br /> <br /> Alas, poor Body Politic, <br /> Your fate is all too clearly read: <br /> To be not altogether quick, <br /> Nor very dead. <br /> <br /> You take your exercise in squirms, <br /> Your rest in fainting fits between. <br /> 'Tis plain that your disorder's worms-- <br /> Worms fat and lean. <br /> <br /> Worm Capital, Worm Labor dwell <br /> Within your maw and muscle's scope. <br /> Their quarrels make your life a Hell, <br /> Your death a hope. <br /> <br /> God send you find not such an end <br /> To ills however sharp and huge! <br /> God send you convalesce! God send <br /> You vermifuge.<br /><br />Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-statesmen-2/
