WE, mayor and senate of the town, The following orders now lay down To all who love their city truly, Enjoining them to keep them duly. 'Tis foreigners and strangers most Who their rebellious spirit boast; Thank God, such rogues (to put it fairly) The children of the soil are rarely. The Atheists likewise are concern'd; For he by whom his God is spurn'd Is sure at last to hold detested All those on earth with power invested. Christian and Jew, at close of day, Must shut their shops without delay; "Obey your rulers" should be ever Both Jew and Christian's first endeavour. No person shall be seen at night In any street without a light; Where three or more in groups are standing, Let them at once begin disbanding. Each one must bring his weapons all, And lay them down in the guildhall; And every kind of ammunition Is subject to the same condition. He who in any public spot Ventures to reason, shall be shot; He who by gestures dares to reason Shall pay the penalty of treason. Confide in the authorities, So gracious, but withal so wise, Who rule the fortunes of the city, And hold your tongues, or more's the pity. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ROSE AYLMER by WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR THE LADY AND THE SWINE by MOTHER GOOSE AN ECHO FROM WILLOW-WOOD by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI ADONAIS; AN ELEGY ON THE DEATH OF JOHN KEATS by PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY LAUS DEO! by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER |