Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ALTERED CONDITION OF ATHENS, by EUPOLIS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ALTERED CONDITION OF ATHENS, by                    
First Line: It grieves me to behold the commonwealth
Last Line: Installed prime rogue and minister of state.
Subject(s): Athens, Greece


IT grieves me to behold the commonwealth.
Things were not thus administered of old;
Then men of sense and virtue, men whose merits
Gave them consideration in the state,
Held the first offices: to such we bowed
As to the gods, -- and gods indeed they were, --
For under their wise counsels we enjoyed
Security and peace. But now, alas!
We have no other guide in our elections
Save chance, blind chance, and on whatever head
It falls, though worst and meanest of mankind,
Up starts he a great man, and is at once
Installed prime Rogue and Minister of State.





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