Walter Murdoch (1874–1970). The Oxford Book of Australasian Verse. 1918.
By Elliott Napier202 . All men are free!
‘A
Before the Law!’ So runs the worn
And specious, lying, parrot-cry.
All men are free—to starve or sigh;
But few to feed on Egypt’s corn.
There weeps the babe with hunger torn;
Dear God! Forgive us for the lie—
‘All men are free!’
One’s heir to honour, one to scorn—
Were they born free? Were you? Was I?
No! Not when born, but when they die
And of their robes—or rags—are shorn,
All men are free!