Politicians

quite timely:

Begrudge them not their glory,
It profits them but a twinkling day, 
It soon grows stale and hoary
Like the principles they betray.


There are odd heroes among them
Who judge sacred their cause
And who scorn the whip and the diadem:
Truly sensitive to the policy's flaws.


They come in and out unchosen
Unranking among the party greats,
On their lips their wisdom frozen,
Deserted by their prudent mates.


Better for them held they to the wisdom
Of their leaders true to the party line,
And had chosen to haul in tandem
With the slick and opportunistic kind.


Who stands alone is invariably honest,
His voice heard but held profane,
Is trodden in the dust as a foul pest
Whom careerists and front benchers disdain.