Page:In Bohemia (1886).djvu/95

Rh A world of riant life; the sudden day When like a new strange glory, shone decay, A golden glow amid the green; the change From branch to branch at life's receding range. Till nothing stands of towering strength and pride Save naked trunk and arms whose veins are dried; And these, too, crumble till no signs remain To mark its place upon the wind-swept plain.

Why died the empires? Like the forest trees Did Nature doom them? or did slow disease Assail their roots and poison all their springs?

The old-time story answers; nobles, kings, Have made and been the State, their names alone Its history holds; its wealth, its wars, their own. Their wanton will could raise, enrich, condemn; The toiling millions lived and died for them. Their fortunes rose in conquest fell, in guilt; The people never owned them, never built.