Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition

Theoretikos (Author: Oscar Wilde)

p.700

1. • 1] This mighty empire hath but feet of clay
     2] Of all its ancient chivalry and might
     3] Our little island is forsaken quite:
     4] Some enemy hath stolen its crown of bay,
     5] And from its hills that voice hath passed away
     6] Which spake of Freedom: O come out of it,
     7] Come out of it, my Soul, thou art not fit
     8] For this vile traffic-house, where day by day
   • 9] Wisdom and reverence are sold at mart,
     10] And the rude people rage with ignorant cries
     11] Against an heritage of centuries.
     12] It mars my calm: wherefore in dreams of Art
     13] And loftiest culture I would stand apart,
     14] Neither for God, nor for his enemies.