Pebbles and Shells (Hawkes collection)/A Prisoner in Chains

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4657214Pebbles and Shells — A Prisoner in ChainsClarence Hawkes

A PRISONER IN CHAINS
In prison and in chains he stands,
Within a dark and narrow cell,
And many sentries guard him well,
But they have only bound his hands—
His spirit moves a thousand clans,
His glory gleams on shining shields,
A mighty kingdom quakes and reels,
And freedom shouts in tyrant lands.

Such is the power of noble deeds,
That where one soul for freedom dies
A thousand steel-clad warriors rise,
To follow where the martyr leads.
The clanging of one prison chain
Oft breaks a mighty despot's reign.