Behold! the biased foes of Right <br />Are conscious of their danger, <br />They’re startled by the dawning light, <br />So very long a stranger. <br />And fearing for their rotting laws— <br />Whose reign is nearly ended— <br />To study out the People’s cause <br />At last they’ve condescended. <br /> <br />“And this they call the ‘People’s Cause’, <br />Why this is insurrection! <br />They would revoke the very laws <br />We made for our protection! <br />An equal right with us they claim! <br />They’ll rob us by and by, sir! <br />We’ll form a league and steal a name <br />And tell another lie, sir.” <br /> <br />They took to gloss a base intrigue <br />A name that was demotic. <br />They stole a name and formed a league <br />And called it “Patriotic”. <br />They’ve resurrected ancient lies— <br />The world had most forgotten— <br />The liars think the world will rise <br />To back a Cause that’s rotten. <br /> <br />I know their creed, and know it well, <br />Too mean are its creators <br />To hope for heaven, or fear the hell <br />They’d make for agitators. <br />Old as the hills—and quite as dense <br />Though shaking like a jelly. <br />Time honoured to magnificence, <br />Religion of the Belly!<br /><br />Henry Lawson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-patriotic-league/
