The Sonnets Of Tommaso Campanella - The People.

Il popolo è una bestia.


The people is a beast of muddy brain,
        That knows not its own force, and therefore stands
        Loaded with wood and stone; the powerless hands
        Of a mere child guide it with bit and rein:
One kick would be enough to break the chain;
        But the beast fears, and what the child demands,
        It does; nor its own terror understands,
        Confused and stupefied by bugbears vain.
Most wonderful! with its own hand it ties
        And gags itself--gives itself death and war
        For pence doled out by kings from its own store.
Its own are all things between earth and heaven;
        But this it knows not; and if one arise
        To tell this truth, it kills him unforgiven.