| |
| WHETHER the State can loose and bind | |
| In Heaven as well as on Earth: | |
| If it be wiser to kill mankind | |
| Before or after the birth— | |
| These are matters of high concern | 5 |
| Where State-kept schoolmen are; | |
| But Holy State (we have lived to learn) | |
| Endeth in Holy War. | |
| |
| Whether The People be led by The Lord, | |
| Or lured by the loudest throat: | 10 |
| If it be quicker to die by the sword | |
| Or cheaper to die by vote— | |
| These are things we have dealt with once, | |
| (And they will not rise from their grave) | |
| For Holy People, however it runs, | 15 |
| Endeth in wholly Slave. | |
| |
| Whatsoever, for any cause, | |
| Seeketh to take or give, | |
| Power above or beyond the Laws, | |
| Suffer it not to live! | 20 |
| Holy State or Holy King— | |
| Or Holy People’s Will— | |
| Have no truck with the senseless thing. | |
| Order the guns and kill! | |
| Saying—after—me:— | 25 |
| |
| Once there was The People—Terror gave it birth; | |
| Once there was The People and it made a Hell of Earth. | |
| Earth arose and crushed it. Listen, O ye slain! | |
| Once there was The People—it shall never be again! | |
| |
