機嫌取り

解説

付記

痩せたヒルが病んだ肉を見つけては喜び、 そこに食らいつき、 悪血で黒き皮が膨らむまで吸い、 飽食の末、泥に落ちて死ぬように―― 卑しき追従者もまた、 隣人の弱点を見つけては口を寄せ、 貪り栄える。 ただヒルと違い、決して離さない。 もしも利益のために―― いや愛情からでさえ―― ヤギのあごひげをアロンのもの以上に尊いと 力強き論理で讃えたなら、 もしもヤギの臭気を称えることを 利益が促したなら、 お前はついに世の益となり、 金満の悪党どもも涙を流したろう。 だが現実はどうか。 輸送費を食い物にし、運賃を奪う成金や、 良心の呵責に駆られて より陰惨な悪事へと逃げる者どもに、 お前は靴を舐め、蹴りを乞い、 ご機嫌取りに終始している。 モルガンを賛美し、 大ハーヴェマイヤーにホサナを歌い―― サタンが一体何をしたというのか？ 彼もまた富める者だ―― ただし、お前を差し引いて、だ。

管理人コメント

Original

One who approaches Greatness on his belly so that he may not be commanded to turn and be kicked. He is sometimes an editor.

Additional notes

As the lean leech, its victim found, is pleased To fix itself upon a part diseased Till, its black hide distended with bad blood, It drops to die of surfeit in the mud, So the base sycophant with joy descries His neighbor's weak spot and his mouth applies, Gorges and prospers like the leech, although, Unlike that reptile, he will not let go. Gelasma, if it paid you to devote Your talent to the service of a goat, Showing by forceful logic that its beard Is more than Aaron's fit to be revered; If to the task of honoring its smell Profit had prompted you, and love as well, The world would benefit at last by you And wealthy malefactors weep anew— Your favor for a moment's space denied And to the nobler object turned aside. Is't not enough that thrifty millionaires Who loot in freight and spoliate in fares, Or, cursed with consciences that bid them fly To safer villainies of darker dye, Forswearing robbery and fain, instead, To steal (they call it "cornering") our bread May see you groveling their boots to lick And begging for the favor of a kick? Still must you follow to the bitter end Your sycophantic disposition's trend, And in your eagerness to please the rich Hunt hungry sinners to their final ditch? In Morgan's praise you smite the sounding wire, And sing hosannas to great Havemeyer! What's Satan done that him you should eschew? He too is reeking rich—deducting you.