A Curse for a Nation: The Curse

I.

Because ye have broken your own chain
&nbspWith the strain
Of brave men climbing a Nation’s height,
Yet thence bear down with brand and thong
On souls of others,—for this wrong
&nbspThis is the curse. Write.

Because yourselves are standing straight
&nbspIn the state
Of Freedom’s foremost acolyte,
Yet keep calm footing all the time
On writhing bond-slaves,—for this crime
&nbspThis is the curse. Write.

Because ye prosper in God’s name,
&nbspWith a claim
To honour in the old world’s sight,
Yet do the fiend’s work perfectly
In strangling martyrs,—for this lie
&nbspThis is the curse. Write.

II.

Ye shall watch while kings conspire
Round the people’s smouldering fire,
&nbspAnd, warm for your part,
Shall never dare—O shame!
To utter the thought into flame
&nbspWhich burns at your heart.
&nbsp       &nbspThis is the curse. Write.

Ye shall watch while nations strive
With the bloodhounds, die or survive,
&nbspDrop faint from their jaws,
Or throttle them backward to death;
And only under your breath
&nbspShall favour the cause.
&nbsp       &nbspThis is the curse. Write.

Ye shall watch while strong men draw
The nets of feudal law
&nbspTo strangle the weak;
And, counting the sin for a sin,
Your soul shall be sadder within
&nbspThan the word ye shall speak.
&nbsp       &nbspThis is the curse. Write.

When good men are praying erect
That Christ may avenge his elect
&nbspAnd deliver the earth,
The prayer in your ears, said low,
Shall sound like the tramp of a foe
&nbspThat’s driving you forth.
&nbsp       &nbspThis is the curse. Write.

When wise men give you their praise,
They shall pause in the heat of the phrase,
&nbspAs if carried too far.
When ye boast your own charters kept true
Ye shall blush; for the thing which ye do
&nbspDerides what ye are.
&nbsp       &nbspThis is the curse. Write.

When fools cast taunts at your gate,
Your scorn ye shall somewhat abate
&nbspAs ye look o’er the wall;
For your conscience, tradition, and name
Explode with a deadlier blame
&nbspThan the worst of them all.
&nbsp       &nbspThis is the curse. Write.

Go, wherever ill deeds shall be done,
Go, plant your flag in the sun
&nbspBeside the ill-doers!
And recoil from clenching the curse
Of God’s witnessing Universe
&nbspWith a curse of yours.
&nbsp       &nbspThis is the curse. Write.