Classic Poem

The few are by the many led, 'tis true,
If moral force with numbers coincide:
But if dull apathy be on their side,
The many, friend, are guided by the few.
If a whole people, of one mind with you,
Come to your aid with words and nought beside,
It little helps you, who meantime are plied
With knock-down blows by an audacious crew.
Say four stout knaves are soundly threshing me,
And yonder stand two hundred shouting, Fie!
But move not hand or foot to set me free;
I prithee tell me in what case am I,
With four bold “Ayes” whose words and acts agree,
While ten score passive “Noes” do nought but cry.