Page:The cry for justice - an anthology of the literature of social protest. - (IA cryforjusticea00sinc).pdf/549

 To a Certain Rich Young Ruler

(A sonnet which was widely circulated at the time of the Colorado coal-strike of 1913-14)

White-fingered lord of murderous events, Well are you guarding what your father gained; With torch and rifle you have well maintained The lot to which a heavenly providence Has called you; laborers, risen in defense Of liberty and life, lie charred and brained About your mines, whose gutted hills are stained With slaughter of these newer innocents.

Ah, but your bloody fingers clenched in prayer! Your piety, which all the world has seen! The godly odor spreading through the air From your efficient charity machine! Thus you rehearse for your high rôle up there, Ruling beside the lowly Nazarene!

(See page 480)

A tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion. Subjects are less apprehensive of illegal treatment from a ruler whom they consider god-*fearing and pious. On the other hand, they do less easily move against him, believing that he has the gods on his side.