When Man the Sceptre Donned

When man the sceptre donned,
And ov’r another rul’d and reign’d,
Humanity bled and mourn’d
O’er man’s aversed gain.

All wert born’d and shalt come likewise
All wert buried and shalt perish thus
But when men o’er other men rise
Shalt breed in men fiendish lusts

All born’d of Adam, made of dust
None wert made lord at their birth
Emperors and kings sat on trust
Of their subjects’ esteem and love

When men ov’r men ruled a tyrant
Let all men a loud revolt raise
When lords abused the grace bestow’d them
Let Justice and Rights take their place

Let the Emperors and Kings e’er remember
Ye must administer with mercy & care
To commend righteousness and punish evil
To regulate justly all worldly affairs

Let the Emperors and Kings tremble at this
Ye art man and shalt ever be
No sash nor scepter shalt permits
To abuse that grace bestow’d thee

Let the Emperors and Kings ne’er forget
Thy kingdom belonged to thee not
Ye on trust on the throne was set
Above thee art Man and above all art god

*Bastille Day 2005

Jack