Jump to content

Page:Bronze (Johnson).djvu/109

From Wikisource
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
TO HENRY LINCOLN JOHNSON—LAWYER
TO HENRY LINCOLN JOHNSON—LAWYER
Quite firmly did you stand, and unafraidBefore that haughty bar that sought to holdYou fettered, lest you strengthen and grow boldTo break a clearing through that fetid gladeWhich their benighted prejudice had made;They taunted you with darkling hints of gold,Preferring you were bought as you had sold,They weaved their webs like spiders in the shade.
But as a giant in the falling nightOf storm, you forged afore with ruthless tread,To offer up your heart's blood in the fight,Forgetting self, unmindful, unafraid,Nor pausing until thrice acclaimed the rightTo rally in the tents of those you led.

97