Classic Poem

The O NE

Nero is dead, but Nero lives,
Savagery on a throne,
The claws of the tiger are tearing,
Maskless, the Real is shown;
Barbaric and ruthless and cunning,
Honourless, faithless, unjust,
Crazed with conceits of power,
Mad with ambition's lust.

At the bar of honest judgement,
At the bar of brotherhood,
In the name of all that's sacred,
In the name of all that's good;
You stand accursed and guilty,
Stern judgement has been set,
And sure as God is justice.
Stern judgement will be met.

The O THER

Offered rich bribes, yet refusing,
Threatened, yet undismayed,
Paying without a murmur
A price that needn't be paid.
Suffering for sake of a promise,
Gallant and unafraid,
Wearing the halo of honour,
Doing what duty bade.

At the bar of honest judgement,
At the bar of brotherhood,
In the name of all that's sacred.
In the name of all that's good;
Your wounds are those of honour,
And rich shall prove their worth,
Righteousness still exalteth
The nations of the earth.