Explore "King Leopold" by Harry Graham on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
("_In dealing with a race that has been composed of cannibals for / thousands of years, it is necessary to use methods that best can shake / their idleness and make them realise the sanctity of labour._" -- King / Leopold of Belgium on the Congo scandal.)
People call him "knave" and "ogre" and a lot of kindred names, / Or they label him as "tyrant" and "oppressor"; / The majority must wilfully misunderstand his aims / To regard him in the light of a transgressor. / For, to tell the honest truth, he's a benevolent old man / Who attempts to do his "duty to his neighbour" / By endeavouring to formulate a philanthropic plan / Which shall demonstrate the "sanctity of labour."