Before the battle I battled
did not wait for the King's shilling
or the Queen's penny
I drew from the sweat of my brows
and gave back to the
common purse what is ordered due
I burnt midnight oils
and tested with peers equal and fair
laurels gained in light
I was there in all the mornings calls
ached in dusk's rest
and stood salted shoulder to shoulders
in both heat and cold
so come meet and look me in the eyes
and tell me in truth
I did not rise at dawn to seize the day
for to the naysayers
the fakes and charlatans oozing scarlet ****
and draining sewage
from cuddled brains and grimy fetid minds
I declare in full grace
you all can go do the hot unmentionables
and feed it to each others