Spoon River Anthology - Penn State University
Spoon River Anthology - Penn State University
Spoon River Anthology - Penn State University
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Edgar Lee Masters<br />
Hiram Scates<br />
I TRIED to win the nomination<br />
For president of the County-board<br />
And I made speeches all over the County<br />
Denouncing Solomon Purple, my rival,<br />
As an enemy of the people,<br />
In league with the master-foes of man.<br />
Young idealists, broken warriors,<br />
Hobbling on one crutch of hope,<br />
Souls that stake their all on the truth,<br />
Losers of worlds at heaven’s bidding,<br />
Flocked about me and followed my voice<br />
As the savior of the County.<br />
But Solomon won the nomination;<br />
And then I faced about,<br />
And rallied my followers to his standard,<br />
And made him victor, made him King<br />
Of the Golden Mountain with the door<br />
Which closed on my heels just as I entered,<br />
Flattered by Solomon’s invitation,<br />
To be the County—board’s secretary.<br />
And out in the cold stood all my followers:<br />
Young idealists, broken warriors<br />
Hobbling on one crutch of hope—<br />
Souls that staked their all on the truth,<br />
Losers of worlds at heaven’s bidding,<br />
Watching the Devil kick the Millennium<br />
Over the Golden Mountain.<br />
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