The successful man has thrust himself br Through the water of the years, br Reeking wet with mistakes -- br Bloody mistakes; br Slimed with victories over the lesser, br A figure thankful on the shore of money. br Then, with the bones of fools br He buys silken banners br Limned with his triumphant face; br With the skins of wise men br He buys the trivial bows of all. br Flesh painted with marrow br Contributes a coverlet, br A coverlet for his contented slumber. br In guiltless ignorance, in ignorant guilt, br He delivered his secrets to the riven multitude. br "Thus I defended: Thus I wrought." br Complacent, smiling, br He stands heavily on the dead. br Erect on a pillar of skulls br He declaims his trampling of babes; br Smirking, fat, dripping, br He makes speech in guiltless ignorance, br Innocence.