My Lyrical Life :: :: University of Virginia Library

Deeper and deeper the Despot's lash flayeth,
Swifter and swifter fierce Misery slayeth;
Tighter and tighter the grip of Toil groweth,
Nigher and nigher the dark Ruin floweth.
And still ye bear on, and ye faint heart and breath,
Till ye creep, scourgèd hounds, to your kennel of death:

244

O down to the dust with ye, Cowards and Slaves,
Plague-stricken Cumber-grounds, slink to your graves!

Love is the Crown of all life, but ye wear it not;
Freedom, Humanity's palm, and ye bear it not;
Beauty spreads banquet for all, but ye share it not;
Grimmer the blinding veil glooms, and ye tear it not.
Weaving your life-flowers in Wealth's robe of glory,
Ye stint in your starkness with youth smitten hoary!
O down to the dust with ye, Cowards and Slaves,
Plague-stricken Cumber-grounds, slink to your graves!

They have broken your hearts for their hunger, and trod
The wine-press for Death, with our fruitage of God;
And ye lick their feet, red with your blood, like dumb cattle!
Far better, far braver to meet them in battle!
The bow that Tell drew hath lost none of its spring,
Did ye nerve with your daring the arrow and string:
O down to the dust with ye, Cowards and Slaves,
Plague-stricken Cumber-grounds, slink to your graves!

There's a curse on the Mammonites fiery and fell,
Their hearts are as hard as the Millstones of Hell;

245

And there's wringing of hands with the Knave and the Tyrant,
For God's graven Autograph's on their death-warrant.
The people arise face to face with their Foes:
Up now! while before us the Fire-Pillar glows!
Or down to the dust with ye, Cowards and Slaves,
Down, down for ever, and rot in your graves!