There is no man so strong that another can’t kill
For the weakest has cunning and time and the will
So you cannot lie down and be sure of the night
And you rise in the morning prepared for a fight
It is competition and glory and fear
Three causes of quarrel, and all of them here
You invade for your gain and your safety and name
And it isn’t your fault. You were made for the game
So give up the right to be governing you
And ask of your neighbour that he gives his too
A great commonwealth made of muscle and bone
The mortal god waking to sit on the throne
There’s no place for your industry, nothing to gain
For the fruit is uncertain. You won’t plant the grain
There’s no building, no shipping, no moving of stone
No account of the time, and no arts of your own
There is no society, nothing is made
No letters, no learning, no knowledge, no trade
And the worst of it: terror. There’s no other sort
And a life that is solitary, poor, and short
So give up the right to be governing you
And ask of your neighbour that he gives his too
A great commonwealth made of muscle and bone
The mortal god waking to sit on the throne
It is done. And you authored whatever I act
Every deed that I do, you have done. That’s the fact
You have made yourselves authors. You cannot object
To a thing you have done. It is yours to protect
You cannot divide me. You cannot rebel
You’d be breaking your word to yourselves. Just as well
By the terror of power conferred by you all
I can form all your wills into one. And I shall
So give up the right to be governing you
And ask of your neighbour that he gives his too
A great commonwealth made of muscle and bone
The mortal god waking to sit on the throne
I am the Leviathan, terror and law
And your liberty lies in the silence I draw
Where I have not spoken, you go as you please
Do your trade, raise your children, and sail on the seas
But a covenant not to defend is made void
You may fight for your life. That I cannot avoid
And your inward belief I will never compel
For God knows the heart. Show me outward. That’s well
So lay down your weapons and bow to the floor
And I keep you alive. That is all. Nothing more