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The Crisis
With the great thought, thy Country's cause, its life,Mix not the selfish end of party gain;
The Patriot knows no party in the strife,
When called his Country's freedom to maintain.
Against the principles, which make us free,
Against the rights of Man, our foes contend;
And at the root of Liberty's fair tree
The axe is laid, by such as these befriend.
Choose ye this day, whose service ye prefer,
For Freedom, or for Bondage, will ye fight?
No more the duty of the hour defer,
To follow Truth, to vindicate the Right;
But give thyself to Freedom's holy cause,
Thy Country's honor, and thy Country's laws.
Poem No. 847; c. 23 October 1863
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