Power's footstool is opinion, and his throne The human heart: thus only kings maintain Prerogatives God- sanctioned. The coarse chain Tyrants would bind around us may be blown Aside like foam that with a breath is gone. For there's a tide within the popular vein That despots in their pride may not restrain, Swollen with a vigour that is all its own. Ye who would steer along those doubtful seas , Lifting your proud sails to high heaven, beware! Rocks throng the waves, and tempests load the breeze; - Go, search the shores of history - mark there The oppressor's lot - - the tyrant's destinies. Behold the wrecks of ages, and despair! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CAPPER KAPLINSKI AT THE NORTH SIDE CUE CLUB by HAYDEN CARRUTH THE CRY OF THE HUMAN by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING THE CONFLICT by CECIL DAY LEWIS BRONZE TRUMPETS AND SEA WATER; ON TURNING LATIN VERSE INTO ENGLISH by ELINOR WYLIE THE MORAL FABLES: THE TRIAL OF THE FOX by AESOP SONG: 5 by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD |