THE NEW CRUSADE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6895, 8 September 1900, Page 4

THE NEW CRUSADE.

(The wanton of /Viotoria petition againit th# political enfranchisement of their «ex.) We burn {or those who wear tlhair chains with. 1 scorn, Who proudly fling all bondage fro» their* souls, ' Whose eyes are dry, and glow with *h,ft <fUrco light . Of an unquenchable dttire for" liberty; Whom noß* can bind, though heavily they; low, for they have, recognised the iruth, tha< / Truth makes freer. We pity those who feel their fetter*' grip ■ And patiently abide *h« day when death aettf free; Who suffer silently, revealing not The woe that fills their hearts; . Who think i/hat 'tis the appointed doopa of «6»e, * To wear away their lives in joylore elavary. But, when ye eee the slave full fed, and eusfa In satisfaction with a narroW lot. Content to wallow in a pleaaant time, Who will not look 'beyond the glutted day, We turn away ashamed, we oflnnoV gaae On human 'beings sunk to depths bo low At to regard not Freedom, though the linger* near, ; Yet still we pray for these, that they m*y «eff That man evolves, by casting. from the old, By striving after, gaining, greater liberty, : And not by wearing chains that easier teem, Because the links are locked, by those Who swear That woman's beauty is more beautiful When she is so adorned: Women, there's work enough for you to do, For there are dwelling* that are dwayt d**k< Some little ones who pin*, and droop, and die, And never know true ehildlike gaiety; Foul cancerous disease lurks everywhere; Dread, wasteful war is waged a&A giftftft •in; Gross cruelty ?e rife, throughout th» world, < And the dumb creatures' cries, 'Unheeded, On earn that sealed are to piteous sounds; The reckless drunkard cants Mb life away; Youth is entrapped and: snared to its own hurt'; " • drold, it i& god, and men are worshippers ; The rich grow richer and more insolent ; The sad, dejected poor must minister To tastes that vapouring vafiMtf crea'tai. Women! 'Twfte *ai4 a century i&go, "Of the free mother, free eons shall be bom." faus*, ere ye trample Freedom in the duet, And bring the Poet's prophecy to eoorn. LOtttSA BLAKE. Christchurch, Sept. 8, 1900.