A wicked man is bad enough on earth; <br />But O the baleful lustre of a chief <br />Once pledged in tyranny! O star of dearth <br />Darkly illumining a nation's grief! <br />How many men have worn thee on their brows! <br />Alas for them and us! God's precious gift <br />Of gracious dispensation got by theft - <br />The damning form of false unholy vows! <br />The thief of God and man must have his fee: <br />And thou, John Lackland, despicable prince - <br />Basest of England's banes before or since! <br />Thrice traitor, coward, thief! O thou shalt be <br />The historic warning, trampled and abhorr'd <br />Who dared to steal and stain the symbols of the Lord!<br /><br />George Meredith<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/john-lackland/
