passing to the rear

where what was said did not matter so much
except to those who sought to meet the case
what happened was not that we could clutch
the flowers that blossomed to each single face
nor that we required others to bow and abase
themselves to us as their new higher power
that would have put them in their proper place
but for gods watching us from their high tower

no matter how the fighting elements don't touch
our hearts no matter that no answer comes apace
truth limps far behind us on its weak crutch
there'll be no failure here and even less disgrace
there's no requirement our old path to retrace
that's left for another and less pleasant hour
we could have bound them all in some small space
but for gods watching us from their high tower

it isn't that we think that in their small hutch
descendants of wild beasts snarl at each face
we don't mind their anger or not so much
as to subject them once again to the old chase
that memory's too new for us yet to erase
we'll let the humbled beasts shiver and cower
they're not too expensive now for us to replace
but for gods watching us from their high tower

prince if you would our noblest cause embrace
take up we beg the sign of our true flower
you'd lend our banners something of your grace
but for gods watching us from their high tower