For law doesn't divide the men from beasts,
For law divides the beasts—but wild from tame.
So born, the law from strife in lands too vast,
A beast of burden, cast from iron frame.

In name of justice, law is served at last,
And gobbled fast by starving men at large.
The peddled chains that kept their hands in cast
Held order buoyed on seas of chaos—like barge.

The best we have: a barge that sails across,
For better stuck than sinking, grasping breath.
The beasts that will not kneel are nailed to cross
And bled till chaos wrung from them—or death.

Forever beasts, to ever-gnawing end,
And ever chained away from clawing rend.