When the wine stirred in their heart their bosoms dilated, They rose to suppose themselves kings over all things created-- To decree a new earth at a birth without labour or sorrow-- To declare: 'We prepare it to-day and inherit to-morrow.' They chose themselves prophets and priests of minute understanding, Men swift to see done, and outrun, their extremest commanding-- Of the tribe which describe with a jibe the perversions of Justice-- Panders avowed to the crowd whatsoever its lust is. Swiftly these pulled down the walls that their fathers had made them-- The impregnable ramparts of old, they razed and relaid them As playgrounds of pleasure and leisure with limitless entries, And havens of rest for the wastrels where once walked the sentries; And because there was need of more pay for the shouters and marchers, They disbanded in face of their foemen their bowmen and archers. They replied to their well-wishers' fears--to their enemies' laughter, Saying: 'Peace! We have fashioned a God Which shall save us hereafter. We ascribe all dominion to man in his factions conferring, And have given to numbers the Name of the Wisdom unerring.' They said: 'Who has hate in his soul? Who has envied his neighbour? Let him arise and control both that man and his labour.' They said: 'Who is eaten by sloth? Whose unthrift has destroyed him? He shall levy a tribute from all because none have employed him.' They said: 'Who hath toiled? Who hath striven, and gathered possession? Let him be spoiled. He hath given full proof of transgression.' They said. 'Who is irked by the Law? _Though we may not remove it, If he lend us his aid in this raid, we will set him above it!_' So the robber did judgment again upon such as displeased him, The slayer, too, boasted his slain, and the judges released him. As for their kinsmen far off, on the skirts of the nation, They harried all earth to make sure none escaped reprobation, They awakened unrest for a jest in their newly-won borders, And jeered at the blood of their brethren betrayed by their orders. They instructed the ruled to rebel, their rulers to aid them; And, since such as obeyed them not fell, their Viceroys obeyed them. When the riotous set them at naught they said: 'Praise the upheaval! For the show and the word and the thought of Dominion is evil!'