Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, CUI BONO?, by HENRY CHAPPELL


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

CUI BONO?, by                    
First Line: My lords and commons, in your place of trust
Last Line: Seems quite the thing in teaching moderation.
Subject(s): Nationalism - Germany; Politics & Government; War


MY Lords and Commons, in your place of trust,
You should know best of all the Nation's need;
And we will sacrifice, if so we must,
The uttermost to aid you, word and deed.
If it be vital for the Country's sake
That you should play the landlord, it is well.
We look to you to make the venture take
The concrete form of ample shot and shell,
And yet methinks ere catering for thirst,
'Twere better to have whacked the Germans first.

If, on the other hand, you should decide
On prohibition's drastic law to stand,
So that it speeds the plough, we will abide
Your wisdom's rule, and water out of hand.
There's sure to be some grumbling for a time
About a state of things so newly sprung
On those who have no cellars filled with prime.
But there—some folk would grumble to be hung,
And lesser minds than yours might take the view
That water's bad—at least for revenue.

Perchance, the workers are a funny lot,
And somewhat lacking in discrimination,
They relish not at all the stigma sot
You have bestowed on them by implication.
There are black sheep, we know as well as you;
The strenuous toiler's not to blame for that.
To penalise the masses for a few
Were Nasmyth hammers used to slay a gnat;
And it is said that bibulous behaviour
Is not confined to realms outside Belgravia.

My Lords and Commons, if a strain sardonic
Creep through these lines, the fault is yours alone:
The lessening prospect of a modest tonic
Does not conduce to cheerfulness of tone.
But that apart, your battle cry of old
Was "Trust the People," which was kind and nice.
May I suggest (nor deem me over-bold)
You take a little of your own advice.
That "root-and-branch" threat too, on contemplation,
Seems quite the thing in teaching moderation.





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