Page:Pebbles and Shells (Hawkes collection).djvu/86

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The clanging of one prison chain
Oft breaks a mighty despot's reign.


THE LIVING DEAD
When Freedom calls for heroes in her cause
And all the air is ringing with applause,
To charge the foe, e'en to the cannon's breath,
And there lay down thy life is noblest death.

When thou art dead to all that life can give,
To take thy place within the ranks and live
And move as others do, is nobler far,
And on the soul it leaves a deeper scar—

There thou wert dead and all thy glory shone,
Here thou art dead, and e'en thy death unknown.


HOW MASSA LINKUM CAME
You chillun ebber hear me tell
About ole Richmond town
How 'fore de closement ob de war
De Linkum troops came down?

I tell you, chilluns, dem was days
Ole Moses don't forget,
Though thirty years hab trabbled by
I feel that 'sperence yet.

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