My lords and ladies,
I am a poor man, And a humble man. My hand feeds myself, Clothes myself, Heals myself. I know only one need Beyond my own sustaining, And so I make my petition: Give us a flat earth. Give us a flat earth To preserve us from the lunacy That would topple the seas of the earth, Parapet upon parapet, Into the gulf, That would empty the seas to the burning. Give us a flat earth To preserve us from the lunacy That would turn the world over, Disembowel mountains And set the sun falling Edgeways across the sky. Give us a flat earth. A flat earth is every man's birthright. A flat earth With the seas walled in Tight to the horizon And the sun's timetable As steadfast as the litany of the Church And the rules of the Party. Give us a flat earth, A safe earth, And a flat moon sailing in the sky. My lords and ladies, I know there are other voices That are raised against mine - Voices that are raised against mankind. The new flesh, Quick from the womb, Does not understand the need Of a planet bound to discipline - That first breath would breathe poison If it was not taught sanity. That first thought would think nothing Were it to overturn the century - What do the newborn care? Age and wisdom Make the responsiblity ours. We cannot stand and watch Earth overturned Entire as if by earthquake. We cannot tolerate the dissent of those who sanction The end of the world. And so I make my petition: Give us a flat earth. |
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