The Masses and the Man

Rome's faded purple, like an old wine stain

That rests in ragged satin, a sore for eyes,

Invested in the marble city lies,

And lends an ancient air to the domain

Of Judges, Senators, the President,

And all the people politics has bound

To seek the good not of the world around

Them, but their twisted souls and pleasures bent.

The masses chose them, not that they were wise,

But in a movement, tempered not by thought,

Of hearts the beat of culture twisted taut,

Not by the righteous taught, but greedy eyes

That sought great gains, and got them by the skill

Of subtle tongues, through silver breathing wrong.

Is good more Good whose followers are strong?

Or can the greater lead the less to ill?

Rome groaned beneath imperial regimes,

But power centered in one man was not

The cause of cries and curses. "Twas the rot

That spread from Senators' corrupted schemes.

In Caesar though authority did rest,

He could not keep his head, and "head of state"

Meant less than soldiers' will. Majesty great

Was cast on whom the army owned the best.

Disperse, O cloud of ignorance, that blinds

The people of the nation to her plight!

Let light fill those who love their life, the right

To which the writing of the founders finds

Inalienable, essential to

The personhood of all humanity;

Pursuit of happiness and liberty

Cannot ensure the triumph of the True.

Do not reject, with hasty reference

To recent history, establishment

Of kings. Authority from heaven sent

May rest in men imperfect. The defense

And welfare of our ever-waning home

May just as well be cared for by one man

As by the masses. Ponder, if you can:

Not Senators but Tarquins best served Rome.

T. G. 4/11/21

Divine Mercy Sunday