The Seven Ages of Wise
The Seven Ages of Wise - meaning Summary
Political Career as Theatre
Paterson sketches a satirical seven-stage career of a politician, using theatrical metaphor to track ambitions, betrayals, ideological shifts, and ultimate failure. The poem follows a young runner turned student, rising member, jealous backstabber, opportunist who abandons principles, populist who misleads workers, and finally an aging seeker of offices who dies unlamented. It criticizes political opportunism, fickleness, and the pursuit of patronage over public service.
Read Complete AnalysesParliament's a stage, And all the Politicians merely players! They have their exits and entrances, And Wise doth in his time play many parts, His acts being seven changes. First the Runner, With spiked shoe he spurns the cinder track, And just for once runs straight. The next the Student, Burning the midnight oil with Adam Smith For Cobden Medals. Next the youthful member, With shining morning face, creeping between Two seasoned leaders into place and power Before his whiskers grow. The next the bravo. Jealous of greater men, he cries, "Ha, Ha! Beware Bernardo's dagger!" -- and would strike His friend i' th' back. Then come a sudden change. Once more a child, he comes with quick-turned coat, New friends, new doctrines, and new principles, Lets Friedman loose, and wrecks the Government. Then leads the horny-handed sons of toil By many a specious promise to their doom In Arbitration Courts. Last scene of all, That ends this strange, disastrous history. He aims at Judgeships and Commissionerships, But, failing, passes on to mere oblivion. Sans place, sans power, sans pay, sans everything.
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