The Shadow On the Throne

All that's thought and all that's seen

May in the end conceal deceits,

And victory's a shallow thought

When villainy evades defeats.

But hold the line and free the mind,

Or suffer it to rot and fade;

And whether you are cruel or kind,

A shadow finds itself dismayed.

Authority in stolen voice,

Emancipate a conquered tongue;

For gilded lacquer scarce conceals

A wooden chair that once was young.

And principle is vital too,

Though what it is, is hard to say -

But if you see the battle through,

You might great tragedy allay.

There is a quarrel, and a foe,

Though not the one you saw before,

And cast the lots or roll the die,

For there are further twists in store.

The dagger's handle, 'tward your hands

And justice sought within your minds,

The question isn't what you planned,

What worthy backs the dagger finds.

What first appeared was smoke and mirrors,

A noble cause, ignoble heart;

And empty cavity of chest,

Is where the storm and thunder start.

So take up arms with worthy friends,

Or seek to do the deed alone.

For if you slay, or make amends,

You end the shadow on the throne.