Edgar Lee Masters (1868–1950). Spoon River Anthology. 1916.

172. Hildrup Tubbs

I MADE two fights for the people.

First I left my party, bearing the gonfalon

Of independence, for reform, and was defeated.

Next I used my rebel strength

To capture the standard of my old party—

And I captured it, but I was defeated.

Discredited and discarded, misanthropical,

I turned to the solace of gold

And I used my remnant of power

To fasten myself like a saprophyte

Upon the putrescent carcass

Of Thomas Rhodes’ bankrupt bank,

As assignee of the fund.

Everyone now turned from me.

My hair grew white,

My purple lusts grew gray,

Tobacco and whisky lost their savor

And for years Death ignored me

As he does a hog.