127. But whether governments be bad or good, one general disadvantage seems to attach to them in modern times—that they arc all costly.[1] This, however, is not essentially the fault of the governments. If nations choose to play at war, they will always find their governments willing to lead the game, and soon coming under that term of Aristophanes, "Κάπηλοι ἀσπίδων," shield-sellers." And when (πῆμ’ ἐπὶ πήματι[2]) the shields take the form of iron ships, with apparatus "for defence against liquid fire,"—as I see by latest accounts they are now arranging the decks in English dockyards—they become costly biers enough for the grey convoy of chief-mourner waves, wreathed with funereal foam, to bear back the dead upon; the massy shoulders of those corpse-bearers being intended for quite other work, and to bear the living, and food for the living, if we would let them.
128. Nor have we the least right to complain
- ↑ [Read carefully, from this point; because here begins the statement of things requiring to be done, which I am now re-trying to make detinite in Fors Clavigera.]
- ↑ ["Evil on the top of Evil." Delphic oracle, meaning iron on the anvil.]
