Page:The Afro-American Press.djvu/399

Rh "Human we are, of blood as good;

As rich the crimson stream;

God-planned, ere creation stood,

However it may seem.

"Oh! sit not tamely by and see

Thy brother bleeding sore;

For is there not much work for thee,

While they for help implore?

"From Wahalak came the news,

Our men are lying dead.

Did it not hatred rank infuse

When word like this was read?

"And now White Caps, with hearts as black

As hell,—of Ku-Klux fame,

Still ply the lash on freedman's back;

And must he bear the same?"

Thus said a woman, old and gray,

To me, while at her door,

Speaking of what so heavy lay

And made her heart so sore.

"What, woman! dost thou speak of war,

The weaker, 'gainst the strong?

That, surely, would our future mar,

Nor stop the tide of wrong.

"We must be patient, longer wait.

We'll get our cherished rights.—"

"Yes, when within the pearly gate,

And done with earthly sights,—"

Replied the woman, with a sneer

Upon her countenance.

"You men do hold your lives too dear

To risk with spear or lance."

"Naomi, at Fort Pillow fell

Three hundred blacks one day;

The cannon's roar their only knell,

In one deep grave they lay.

"Our men have bravely fought, and will,

Whene'er the time shall come:

But now we hear His 'Peace, be still!"

And stay within our home.