The Crown--Margaret Thatcher recites Charles McKay Poem to the Queen
The Queen asked if it were wise to make enemies left, right, and center after Thatcher sacked several members of her cabinet. Thatcher's response was only if you fear having enemies. She then went on to quote from Charles Mackay's poem, No Enemies, in a way that was quite arresting:
You have no enemies, you say?
Alas! my friend, the boast is poor;
He who has mingled in the fray
Of duty, that the brave endure,
Must have made foes! If you have
none
Small is the work that you have done.
You've hit no traitor on the hip.
You've dashed no cup from perjured lip,
You've never turned the wrong to right,
You've been a coward in the fight.