James Roane Gregory - Part I :: :: University of Virginia Library

11. Otheen, Okiyetos

To these little ones, hast thou been true;
Wouldst' thou cast thy right hand, then to save,
With heavens breath of life, thy soul pure,
To each lawful right, just wish crave?

Or hast thou from thy high gifted seal,
Heaven's gift of speech, betrayed with a lie,
Denied thy tongue, humanities weal;
With thy false soul, the evil one's eye?

Myriads of dangers compass the land,
Each broken promise of thine, a moan,
Each link of hope, prove a chain of sand,
Each promise, a viper of hell, sown.

When did the Muskogee blood kneel low?
Answer! (Then ye will praise honor's grave).
Never, til they fell neath the death blow,
Returned glory's gift to God that gave.

How ye built love's fold; with lash and pain,
Striking against one Muskogee home,
To thee, that blow will rebound again,
When thy shield is false, swift it will come.

Equity of home right, is the law,
To each one extend by bonds of love,
Why with false tongue attempting to awe,
The weak, the weary, and the child dove?

Each Muskogee, come to thy trial,
A living oath of honor, each greet:
Drink the love of home, or death's vial,
Honor's guiding will, with each heartbeat.

For a home to each, in full redeem,
For a name to each, on honors roll,
Saved from lying monopolist's scheme,
Greet of joy, to each Muskogee 's soul.

Wagoner Record, June 12, 1895.