Bars and Shadows by Ralph Chaplin
page 33 of 42 (78%)
page 33 of 42 (78%)
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(Mutilated and murdered at Centralia, Washington, November 11th, 1919, by a mob of "respectable" businessmen.) Torn and defiant as a wind-lashed reed, Wounded he faced you as he stood at bay; You dared not lynch him in the light of day, But on your dungeon stones you let him bleed; Night came . . . and you black vigilants of Greed . . . Like human wolves, seized hard upon your prey, Tortured and killed . . . and, silent slunk away Without one qualm of horror at the deed. Once . . . long ago . . . do you remember how You hailed Him king for soldiers to deride-- You placed a scroll above His bleeding brow And spat upon Him, scourged Him, crucified . . .? A rebel unto Caesar--then as now Alone, thorn-crowned, a spear wound in his side! THE INDUSTRIAL HERETICS They say we are revolters--that we stirred The workers of all nations to rebel-- And that we would not compromise with Hell, But damned it with our every deed and word. |
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