Select Poetry.

Thames Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 7172, 30 April 1892, Page 1

Select Poetry.

THE DIGNITY OF LABOE. ,

See her emaciated form Dethroned, exposed to every Btorm, Torn-from her place of sacred light, Prostrated, vanquished by the fight; She bleeds, she moans with rery pain| Her lacerated wounds remain Unheeded by her ruthless lore, That callous heart she fails to more* The hungry wolves who thirst for blood, Insatiable imbibe the flood, Which flows adown the virtuous side Of her, the nation's soul and pride. No painter's art, no poet's dream Can prize that precious, crimson stream; Because, though maimed and bruised and torn, Labor with regal rights was born. Her name was destined to be great, > Her motives pure, her pathway straight, The guide, the comforter of man, To march triumphant in the Tan; Imbued with all that elevates, Refines, ennobles, consecrates, Thus draws aside oppression's veil, To all who come within her pale, Which is the world, the universe So wide, so deep, her aims immense ; Of every race, ot every dime, She's Nature's agency sublime. I And Capital's but Labor's own, 1 The harvest of the seeds that's Bown Her property, her just demands, The contents of her stainless hands. Then why docs man of brother beg, Since Labor lays the golden egg? The answer comes with lightning speed. The nest is robbed with sinful greed By those who rise in hostile bands, Ignoring her divine commands. They worship wealth without remorse, But pay no homage to its source. How long, ye sons, shall this prevail ? Must Labor in her efforts fail To win her offspring to her breast— The nation's wealth, her queenly crest; We need not study to define How closely work and wealth entwine; Their strict relation is as one, Apportioned to each earth-born son. Unfurl her standard to the breeze, And bring her en'mies to their knees; Restore her to her stately throne, And bow with reverence as her own Proud subjects free, with inmate joy, Which nothing earthly can'destroy.