Love

Albeit nurtured in democracy

by Oscar Wilde 1854–1900

From The Poets and the Poetry of the Century, ed. Alfred H. Miles

Love

Albeit nurtured in democracy,
And liking best that state republican
Where every man is Kinglike and no man
Is crowned above his fellows, yet I see,
Spite of this modern fret for Liberty,
Better the rule of One whom all obey
Than to let clamorous demagogues betray
Our freedom with the kiss of anarchy.
Wherefore I love them not whose hands profane
Plant the red flag upon the piled-up street
For no right cause, beneath whose ignorant reign
Arts, Culture, Reverence, Honour, all things fade,
Save Treason and the dagger of her trade
And Murder with his silent bloody feet.

MLA

Wilde, Oscar. “Albeit nurtured in democracy.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/wilde/68/.

Chicago

Wilde, Oscar. “Albeit nurtured in democracy.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/wilde/68/.

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