THE PEOPLE

 

The People are often hardworking,

But sometimes lazy,

Often spiritual but sometimes sensual.

They are the crude clay from which

The highest humanity can be formed,

The crucible in which

A new human type can be forged,

Superior to anything that preceded it.

 

They often live in the city

But sometimes in the country,

Are often artificial but sometimes natural.

They are more paradoxical

Than might at first appear,

For they show an aptitude for the artificial

Without desiring to suppress

What naturalness they possess.

 

They often bless but sometimes curse,

Often praise but sometimes swear.

Their choice of language

Is offensive to cultivated ears,

Since it betrays a contempt for sex

Which, in living closer to nature,

The older classes tend to reject.

 

They often live close together

But sometimes far apart,

Are often quiet but sometimes noisy.

They signify a closer approximation

To the Ultimate Oneness of God

Than do their rulers and masters,

And, if they aren't particularly considerate,

Are at least tolerant!