no larger mercies

a rougher touch than we were meant to feel
upon each body there's a sense of cold
crueller and harder than the sharpest steel

before the king other than knights must kneel
it's not enough to know worthy and bold
a rougher touch than we were meant to feel

from certain judgments there is no appeal
some have the duty statutes to uphold
crueller and harder than the sharpest steel

not only cowards want to shout and squeal
warnings we fear have all been left untold
a rougher touch than we were meant to feel

upon each heart the anger must congeal
too many here will not live to be old
crueller and harder than the sharpest steel

sparks rise to blind us as we turn the wheel
all that is known is we were bought and sold
a rougher touch than we were meant to feel
crueller and harder than the sharpest steel