Page:The city of dreadful night - and other poems (IA cityofdreadfulni00thomrich).pdf/160

 Who has a thing to bring For a gift to our lord the king? A courtier brought to his feet Servility graceful and sweet, With an ever ready smile And an ever supple guile; And he got in reward the place Of the statesman in disgrace: Servility's always a thing To bring as a gift for our king.

Who has a thing to bring For a gift to our lord the king? A soldier brought him war, La gloire, la victoire, Ravage and carnage and groans, For the pious Te Deum tones; And he got in return for himself Rank and honours and pelf: War is a very fine thing To bring as a gift for our king.

Who has a thing to bring For a gift to our lord the king? A harlot brought him her flesh, Her lusts, and the manifold mesh