Classic Poem

'Twas a reformer, wild of eye,
Who shrieked, “Down with monopoly!

“The vampires, Gould and Vanderbilt,
Have all the people's life-blood spilt!”

Said then a quiet-looking man,
“Suppose they use up all they can,—

“Eat up, wear out, and give away,
Or waste on personal display:

“'Tis then but little of the whole
They spend, of all which they control.

“The rest, nine-tenths at least, they must
But for the public hold in trust.

“To serve mankind they must consent,
Or go without their six per cent.

“The railroads, telegraphs, and all
Must serve the public, or they fall.

“So, whether men be bad or good,
They cannot help it, if they would.

“To keep their money and to earn,
The public wheels their wealth must turn.

“If any man serve but himself
And seek to multiply his pelf,

“That he in this should e'er succeed,
He must supply some human need.

“'Tis thus we're linked together all,
And all must stand or all must fall.

“A miser hoards; but just to find
He's built a cistern for mankind.”