A. C. Stewart
Creatures of the "Cult of Prey,"
Wallow through the crimson curds, Gasping grey grotesque philosophies above the shambled
herds.
But I, I am the Shell, Cosmic Judge of men and nations, whom no sophistry
can quell. How I hail in fierce ecstatics
Commerce and her bloodless sons, Howling deathless patriotics,
Hedged behind the belching guns. I m the venomed Scourge of Time, Proof and Penalty of Crime. I have scorched the Conqueror s laurels and made murder
unsublime ;
I have rung the Despot s knell, I am the Shell !
I m the High Explosive Shell, Coercion s Shell! King, when unmasked Diplomacy steps naked from her
cell. All the studied terms of guile,
In the loom of Falsehood wrought With the brain-entangling wile, Suddenly become as nought, And Rapine, savage, unrestrained, foams through the
breach he sought. Crude dissimulations cease,
Murder mounts his gory throne, Frenzy slits the throat of Peace-
In a trice to the Unknown
The spider webs of Plattitudes and Policies are blown. I m the Ego of these things Custom, Commerce, Cash and Kings, Who keeps their dupes, the brainless-born, careering
round in rings.
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