TO JOHN BROWN
TO JOHN BROWN
We lift a song to you across the dayWhich bears through travailing the seed you spreadIn terror's morning, flung with fingers redIn blood of tyrants, who debarred the wayTo Freedom's dawning. Hearken to the layChanted by dusky millions, soft and mellow-keyed,In minor measure, Martyr of the Freed,A song of memory across the day.
Truth cannot perish though the earth eraseThe royal signals, leaving not a trace,And time still burgeoneth the fertile seed,Though he is crucified who wrought the deed:O Alleghanies, fold him to your breastUntil the judgment! Sentinel his rest!
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