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ANTI-SYLLABUS.
ADAPTED FROM DR. HERMANN KRASSER,
BY
LILY CURRY.
Fifty thousand years and longer, puissant, science proof has shown,
Mortals dwelt in earthly precincts ere a Paradise was known,
Ere the Bible was imagined, ere the Maker's mighty hand—
In the legendary fashion—heaven and earth and humans planned.
If the story be authentic, as each circumstance relates,
Man's terrestrial existence his creation antedates,
And the earth in cloudy orbit many thousand years had rolled
Ere the Lord, perceiving needful, manufactured and controlled.
Ere from off the tree o£ knowledge Adam rashly plucked and ate,
Ne'er had whisper of Jehovah pierced humanity's estate;
Were there princes then or clergy, not as now were such attired
In the image of Jehovah, or at His decree inspired.
Though perchance 'twere needless wholly—never bee-hive but must own
'Mongst its complement of toilers many an estimable drone—
Human numbers pray consider, where one soul in bondage sore
Turns to pack-horse for the service of a lazy, lumpish score.
Think of artisan and farmer forced to slave like merest tools
To contribute to the glory of aristocratic fools!
Think how standing armies flourish, horse and foot an idle crew,
Which society must nourish and maintain with honors due;
Think of monks with cross and sackcloth, who to God's eternal praise
Barter bloody sweat for manna to the limit of their days;
Think of speculating schemers, greedy capital in mass,
Think of wife and helpless children, and of serving folks, alas!
Mortals dwelt in earthly precincts ere a Paradise was known,
Ere the Bible was imagined, ere the Maker's mighty hand—
In the legendary fashion—heaven and earth and humans planned.
If the story be authentic, as each circumstance relates,
Man's terrestrial existence his creation antedates,
And the earth in cloudy orbit many thousand years had rolled
Ere the Lord, perceiving needful, manufactured and controlled.
Ere from off the tree o£ knowledge Adam rashly plucked and ate,
Ne'er had whisper of Jehovah pierced humanity's estate;
Were there princes then or clergy, not as now were such attired
In the image of Jehovah, or at His decree inspired.
Though perchance 'twere needless wholly—never bee-hive but must own
'Mongst its complement of toilers many an estimable drone—
Human numbers pray consider, where one soul in bondage sore
Turns to pack-horse for the service of a lazy, lumpish score.
Think of artisan and farmer forced to slave like merest tools
To contribute to the glory of aristocratic fools!
Think how standing armies flourish, horse and foot an idle crew,
Which society must nourish and maintain with honors due;
Think of monks with cross and sackcloth, who to God's eternal praise
Barter bloody sweat for manna to the limit of their days;
Think of speculating schemers, greedy capital in mass,
Think of wife and helpless children, and of serving folks, alas!
