[lbo-talk] Pure beautiful scorn

[Gar Lipow]

On Dec 22, 2007 9:39 AM, Michael Smith <mjs at smithbowen.net> wrote:
> On Saturday 22 December 2007 10:00:41 Michael McIntyre quoted:
> Here's Byron on the same topic:
>
> In the first year of Freedom's second dawn
> Died George the Third; although no tyrant, one
> Who shielded tyrants, till each sense withdrawn
> Left him nor mental nor external sun.
> A better farmer ne'er brushed dew from lawn,

For succinctness on the topic, I wonder if anyone can beat Kipling:

A DEAD STATESMAN

I could not dig: I dared not rob:
Therefore I lied to please the mob.
Now all my lies are proved untrue
And I must face the men I slew.
What tale shall serve me here among
Mine angry and defrauded young?

Yes, it being the reactionary Kipling, he as to get a dig in at "the
mob". Still for well deserved scorn....

When the next U.S. war criminal passes away, and the press is full of
elegies and tears, I hope somebody digs this verse up.