God said, “I am tired of kings,” —
But that was a long time 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 while I think,
And see what that brings!”