She That Has Taken

She that brings fear to the hearts of men, She that lifts up, then strikes down again, She that, the children, the workers and wives Twists slow through their health her vicious knives, And always, and always, she takes. She in her coat that hides truth from their eyes, She that holds mercy, but stands as he dies, She that advances, and smites here and there, And takes what she chooses with no thought for fair, And always, some heart, she breaks.