The Outlaws

Through learned and laborious years  They set themselves to

Fresh terrors and undreamed-of fears  To heap upon mankind.

All that they drew from Heaven above  Or digged from earth beneath,

They laid into their treasure-trove  And arsenals of death:

While, for well-weighed advantage sake,  Ruler and ruled

Built up the faith they meant to break  When the fit hour should strike.

They traded with the careless earth,  And good return it gave:

They plotted by their neighbour's hearth  The means to make him slave.

When all was ready to their hand  They loosed their hidden sword,

And utterly laid waste a land  Their oath was pledged to guard.

Coldly they went about to raise  To life and make more

Abominations of old days,  That men believed were dead.

They paid the price to reach their goal  Across a world in flame;

But their own hate slew their own soul  Before that victory came.