Vipers
Of a truth was Caesar’ intuition To have fat men about him Such as doth sleep at night. So would I have loud men any day That shout and shake and swear In showing anger or malice That let out peals of laughter When happy or tickled Or cry open bitter tears at need. Of them you may open and read And need not fear of poison darts Or sharp knives deep concealed. Not so the kind that dwell in quiet, That brood in loud long silences Keeping century-old wrongs dear. That sit up late nursing their envy And all that is dark and sinister Is hoarded in their hungry bosoms. They creep in the shadows unseen Like vipers in the undergrowth, With their lean and hungry look There is no telling their thoughts Nor affection nor ill will Them you must not only fear but run!