Freeman, The

He worthy is of freedom—only he
     Who claims the boon for all—and, strong in right,
     Rebukes the proud oppressor by whose might
The poor are crushed—for TRUTH hath made him free,
And LOVE hath sanctified his liberty!
When Tyranny his horrid head uprears,
     And blasts the earth with pestilential breath,
     Girded with righteousness and strong in faith,
He steams the tide of wrong; nor scoffs, nor jeers,
Nor ruffian threats, nor fierce mobocracy,
Can daunt his soul, or turn him from the path
     Where duty points. Not his craven heart
     That shrinks when tyrants bluster in their wrath;
But well in Freedom’s strife he bears his part.