Page:The Statues in the Block and Other Poems (1881).djvu/43



"The Years of Our Lord" 1870 to 1880.—The Rulers of Prussia and France make War.—The Paris Commune.—War for Rome between the Pope and the King of Italy.—War between Russia and Turkey.—England devastates Abyssinia, Ashantee, and Zululand.—One English Viceroy in India murdered. Another shot at.— Socialists attempt to kill the Emperor of Germany.—Internationalists fire at the King of Italy.—Nihilists thrice attempt to destroy the Czar.—The Mines of Siberia filled with Political Prisoners.—The Farmers of Ireland rebel in Despair against Rack-rents.—The Workmen of England emigrating from Starvation.—The Land of England, Scotland, and Ireland held by less than a Quarter of a Million of Men.—The Pittsburg Riots.—The American Strikes.—The End of the Decade.

AN the earth have a voice? Can the clods have speech, To murmur and rail at the demigods? Trample them ! Grind their vulgar faces in the clay!

The earth was made for lords and the makers of law; For the conquerors and the social priests;