Page:Poems written during the progress of the abolition question in the United States.djvu/70

 Speak—for the poor man's cause— For Labor's just reward— For violated laws Of nature and of God! Speak—let the Debtor hear Within his living grave! Speak— in Oppression's ear, Deliverance to the slave! Ay—speak—while there is time, For all a freeman's claim, Ere thought becomes a crime, And Freedom but a name! While yet the Tongue and Pen And Press are unforbid, And we dare to feel and act as men— Speak—as our fathers did! The land we love ere long Shall kindle at thy call— Falsehood and chartered Wrong, And legal Robbery, fall: The proud shall not combine— The secret council cease— And underneath the sheltering vine Shall Labor dwell in peace! Old Massachusetts yet Retains her earliest fires— Still on her hills are set The altars of her sires: