Classic Poem

Of old " O Times, O Manners," Tully cried,
In Catiline's foul days with treason rife,
When swords were red with parricidal strife,
And mourning Rome with civic blood was dyed.
Why mock our times to-day, and why deride
Our manners? Is not ours a happy life
That fears nor maddened chief nor murderous knife?
No degradation this our age doth rue,
No leprous taint of shame — excepting you.