The State of Nature
Poemata 32
"Man is everywhere and always ruled," This was said with something in mind Like slavery, as one might find In pamphlets in which we were schooled; Man, so reared in society Cannot from his nature flee Hermits, though, could have us fooled And perhaps on this we all agree; When kings would come to see them there No pomp was found, or offered up No carpet soft, no golden cup "tis anarchy", some men might swear-- But kings are men like you and I Who from the weight of rule might fly So as man to man may share A day beneath our common sky; By nature he could slay that man Tho' custom had forsworn that way The power of command would sway Those who did and those who can-- We call "power" when in sight The Power does an act aright Expected not in this our land But who may win, this Power fight? The State is total at all times In fear the lib'ral fails to see Is trapped by mere prosperity Such things are true and are not crimes It springs forth sudden, he was fooled Cannot escape, cannot be schooled It follows everywhere he climbs-- "Man is everywhere, and always ruled."