for the republic

[fledgist]

what we must do is act with due measure
taking account of needs and of desires
restraint must be applied to bank the fires
and duty counts far more than mere pleasure
work's the obligation and the reward leisure
to greater service each citizen aspires
and seeks the civic palm ere he retires
all goes at last into the collective treasure
not for the first time is our expectation
that voice and vote must act with joint force
to build a symbol in our public spaces
the heart and core of this civilised nation
a common strength that comes from sharing course
that knows its origins and keeps the traces