Rebel Verses — Oh Fools

Oh Fools Oh Fools!

who plough, with hunger faint;

Who reap the harvest, lacking grain;

Oh Sheep!

who offer no complaint;

Oh Worms!

who dare not turn again.

The farmer leads the best of lives, His food pours in: abundant feast;

Full fed upon your sweat he thrives;

And you--and you--are but a beast!

Each day you tend the growing corn, 'The ox shall not be muzzled'--True!

All animals must have their turn;

But less than any beast are you!

The horse is stabled, dry and warm, His food is measured, manger-full;

The sheep is valued on the farm, A price is found for meat and wool.

You--you are but a working man!

Your wages run from day to day, Your wife and brood live as they can;

They count for no return of pay.

Old age creeps o'er your wrinkled face, Your shoulders droop toward the soil;

When, faltering, you leave the race, The workhouse well repays your toil.

Oh piteous soul!

with none to care, At length they recognize your worth;

And England yields, herself, your share: A pauper grave in Mother Earth.