THE THREE RULERS by ADELAIDE ANNE PROCTER

I SAW a Ruler take his stand,
And trample on a mighty land;
The People crouched before his beck,
His iron heel was on their neck,
His name shone bright through blood and pain,
His sword flashed back their praise again.

I saw another Ruler rise:
His words were noble, good, and wise;
With the calm sceptre of his pen
He ruled the minds and thoughts of men:
Some scoffed, some praised, -- while many heard,
Only a few obeyed his word.

Another Ruler then I saw:
Love and sweet Pity were his law;
The greatest and the least had part
(Yet most the unhappy) in his heart:
The People in a mighty band,
Rose up, and drove him from the land!

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