Henry Van Dyke (Генри Ван Дайк)
Remarks about Kings
”God said I am tired of kings.” -- EMERSON God said, ”I am tired of kings,”-- But that was a long while ago! And meantime man said, ”No,-- I like their looks in their robes and rings.” So he crowned a few more, And they went on playing the game as before, Fighting and spoiling things. Man said, ”I am tired of kings! Sons of the robber-chiefs of yore, They make me pay for their lust and their war; I am the puppet, they pull the strings; The blood of my heart is the wine they drink. I will govern myself for awhile I think, And see what that brings!” Then God, who made the first remark, Smiled in the dark.
Henry Van Dyke’s other poems:
