 | Three Hundred Sonnets |  |
153
EMIGRATION.
O Christian patriots, men of mighty heart!One stirring word to you: the hour is ripe;
Thousands are thronging eager to depart
From this fierce rivalry in Mammon's mart,
To happier shores where Penury's hard gripe
On earth's rich zone is loosen'd: hasten then,
Pour out your offerings with a liberal hand,
Earnest in zeal to help your fellow-men,
And from old England this reproach to wipe
That, crowded up in corners of the land,
Virtuous toil can starve in sorrow's den:
Up! use your wealth aright; and prove its worth
By generous aid to yonder homeless band,
Who look to you to find them homes on earth.
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