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 Rex Captivus

(THE EAGLE'S CAGE, CENTRAL PARK)

A MERICANS if ye be, who stand surrounding my /" prison, Has the sight of me, caged and cowed, no hint of the

past to say, Of the days when ye chose me symbol of Freedom the

New-arisen? Free ye found me, and King ye crowned me,

And what is your King to-day?

Shackled for fools to laugh at, shorn of defence and defiance, Tainted and reeking with filth in this barred, unspeakable

slough, Behold the sign of a creed divine, the bird of your faith's

reliance !

Polluted and shamed, the King ye acclaimed Recalls your allegiance now !

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