Page:When the Leaves Come Out (Chaplin 1917).pdf/8

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SALAAM, YOU SCISSORBILLS

Serene, complacent, satisfied;
Content with things that be—
The paragon of paltriness
Upraised for all to see.
With loving pride he cherishes
His Mediocrity!

The smirking, ass-like multitudes
Cringe down at his command.
With wagging ears and blinded eyes
They do not understand.
With pride they show each shackled wrist
And on each brow the brand.

The young, the old, the great, the small
Give homage—all supine.
Fond parents bring their children there
As to some holy shrine.
And every one the Beast transforms
From Human into swine!

Well praised are they—rewarded well—
Who on their shoulders bore
The gilded Thing that all the mob
Fawned in the dust before,
And each that did obeisance therez
Was naked like a whore.

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