Pat Conley
Each nation’s meteoric rise
Implies the certain dread demise
Of the very one that fickle Fate
Had chosen first to elevate.
Proud Egypt, Babylonia
Assyria then Greece
Enjoyed a transitory reign
Ere their domination ceased.
Resplendent Rome attained the crest
Controlling all by force of sword
Till corrupted from within
It bowed before the Teuton hoard.
Modern Europe soon emerged
Its powers tide like rose and fell
Constant strife with one another
Caused to toll the fatal knell.
Now we hold the fleeting scepter
The duty ours to show the way,
Will we crush the force of evil
Or become its feeble prey?