Fraternity-Testvériség, 1941 (19. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1941-01-01 / 1. szám

18

TESTVÉRISÉG

XV

While praising us wherein we are deserving,

Tell us our faults, —- expose our crime of crimes;

Be as the needle to the pole unswerving,

And true to Freedom’s standard in all climes;

Thus many a timid heart with courage nerving To meet the mighty conflict of the times.

XVI

Say Slavery is a stain upon our glory,

Accursed of Heaven, and by the earth abhorred;

Show that our soil with negro blood is gory,

And certain are the judgments of the Lord;

So shall thy name immortal be in story,

And thv fidelity the world applaud.

XVII

Yet first, for this, thou shalt be execrated

By those who now is crowds around thee press;

Thy visit shall be sternly reprobated;

Thy friends and flatterers grow less and less;

Thy hopes for Hungary be dissipated;

America shall curse thee, and not bless.

XVIII

But if, alas! thy country’s sad condition,

And need of succor, a pretence be made,

Why from thy lips should fall no admonition,

Lest she should lose our sympathy and aid;

Xo blessing can attend thy selfish mission —

The cause of freedom thou wilt have betrayed.

XIX

O, shall the millions here in bondage sighing,

Branded as beasts, and scouraged with bloody whips.

The “property” of tyrants God-defying,

Hear not one word of pity from thy lips?

O be not dumb, to thy reproach undying —

And thy great fame save from a dire eclipse!

XX

Courage, Kossuth! Be true — fear not the trial!

Pluck out thy right eye, and thy right hand lose!

Though on thy head be poured out every vial,

To wear a padlock on thy lips refuse!

And thou shalt gain, through lofty self-denial,

A brighter crown than all the world can choose.

Boston, Dec. 10, 1851. Wm. Lloyd Garrison

From: The Liberty Bell

By Friends of Freedom Boston, 1852.