Nurse your 'unconquerable soul,' <br />But diligently bear in mind <br />That Life is not a wayward stroll, <br />For Circumstance asserts control, <br />And fiercely prods you up behind. <br />This dictum you can safely trust — <br />Growl you may, but Go you must. <br /> <br />Though you may shaft with all your might, <br />And kick against the goad, like Paul, <br />Though you may prop, and squeal, and bite, <br />You still put up a losing fight — <br />Unconquerable soul, and all. <br />Still subject to Compulsion's thrust, <br />Growl you may, but Go you must. <br /> <br />Have done with bluff, for Satan's sake, <br />A bulrush never can be strong. <br />You're overmatch'd — make no mistake — <br />The option is to bend or break; <br />In either case, you're forced along, <br />And what avails your cheap disgust? <br />Growl you may, but Go you must. <br /> <br />In point of fact, your name is Sludge, <br />And puppet-like your lot is cast, <br />For though you may rebel and grudge, <br />And spitefully refuse to budge, <br />Your claim will be pegg'd out at last. <br />Sludge to sludge, and dust to dust — <br />Growl you may, but Go you must. <br /> <br />Next hear St. Peter's challenge keen, <br />'My son, you've fail'd to nick a goal. <br />In headstrong wickedness serene, <br />You fear'd not parson, king or queen; <br />Your Bible was the BULLYTEEN; <br />Wherefore, your name is off the roll. <br />No picnic on these meadows green, <br />No part in this celestial scene, <br />For your unconquerable soul. <br />March down yon steps — the doom is just — <br />Growl you may, but Go you must.'<br /><br />Joseph Furphy<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-psalm-of-subjection/
