THEY tell me, Liberty! that in thy name I may not plead for all the human race; That some are born to bondage and disgrace, Some to a heritage of woe and shame, And some to power supreme, and glorious fame: With my whole soul I spurn the doctrine base, And, as an equal brotherhood, embrace All people, and for all fair freedom claim! Know this, O man ! whate'er thy earthly fate -- God never made a tyrant nor a slave: Woe, then, to those who dare to desecrate His glorious image ! -- for to all He gave Eternal rights, which none may violate; And, by a mighty hand, the oppressed He yet shall save! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...POETA FIT, NON NASCITUR by CHARLES LUTWIDGE DODGSON PARTED FRIENDS by JAMES MONTGOMERY THE TRIUMPH OF LIFE by PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY TO ALFRED TENNYSON, MY GRANDSON by ALFRED TENNYSON AT LORD'S [CRICKET GROUND] by FRANCIS THOMPSON BILL SWEENY OF THE BLACK GANG by JAMES BARNES |