What wiser is the world in this bright age—

What better than in the darkened days of old?

Survey the Past, its blotted scroll unfold;

Compare it with the Present’s golden page—

It is no worse; the world was cruel then,

And hearts were trampled on, and spirits bled,

And tears and blood like summer rain were shed,

And men were what they always will be—Men!

Experience teaches naught, man will not heed

And profit by the lessons. Fools can read;

The task is said by rote; we do not learn,

But live in ancient ignorance and crime.

There is no hope—the Future will but turn

The old sands in the failing glass of Time!