Saturday 20 January 2018

On Two Quotes From Edmund Burke (Villanelle)




“The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion”

“Society can overlook murder, adultery or swindling,
it never forgives preaching of a new gospel.”



Don’t preach your brand new gospel down at me,
I will not live by your invented rules.
I’m not deluded and I know I’m free.

You might convert the sheep, the BBC,
And brainwash little children in the schools.
Don’t preach your brand new gospel down at me.

Your childishness means you can only see
Utopia, and not the fire it fuels.
I’m not deluded and I know I’m free,

While you take up your chains and wish to be
This fettered thing, that wears its guilt for jewels.
Don’t preach your brand new gospel down at me,

I don’t accept your sick philosophy.
The British stick to tried ideas like mules.
I’m not deluded and I know I’m free

As do the silent, vast majority,
Beware of them, do not assume they’re fools.
Don’t preach your brand new gospel down at me,

I’m not deluded and I know I’m free.

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