I know not why he shall not toil, Black-skinned, upon our broad, free soil; And lift aloft his dusky frame, Unbranded by a bondman's name!
And struggling still, for nobler goal, With wakening will and soaring soul, I know not why his great free strength May not be our best wealth at length:
That strength which, in the limbs of _slaves_-- Like Egypt's--only piles up graves! But in the hands of _freemen_ now May build up states, by axe and plough!--
And rear up souls, as purely white As angels, clothed with heavenly light; And yield forth life-blood, richly red As patriot hearts have ever shed.
God help us! we are veiled within-- Or white or black--with shrouds of skin; And, at the last, we all shall crave Small difference in the breadth of grave!
But--when the grass grows, green and calm, And smells above our dust, like balm-- I think our rest will sweeter be, If over us the Ox be--_free!_
Two Yankee wags, one summer day, Stopped at a tavern on their way, Supped, frolicked, late retired to rest, And woke, to breakfast on the best. The breakfast over, Tom and Will Sent for the landlord and the bill; Will looked it over:--"Very right-- But hold! what wonder meets my sight? Tom! the surprise is quite a shock!" "What wonder? where?" "The clock, the clock!"
Tom and the landlord in amaze Stared at the clock with stupid gaze, And for a moment neither spoke; At last the landlord silence broke,--
"You mean the clock that's ticking there? I see no wonder, I declare! Though maybe, if the truth were told, 'Tis rather ugly, somewhat old; Yet time it keeps to half a minute; But, if you please, what wonder in it?"
"Tom, don't you recollect," said Will, "The clock at Jersey, near the mill, The very image of this present, With which I won the wager pleasant?" Will ended with a knowing wink; Tom scratched his head and tried to think. "Sir, begging your pardon for inquiring," The landlord said with grin admiring, "What wager was it?"
"You remember It happened, Tom, in last December: In sport I bet a Jersey Blue That it was more than he could do To make his finger go and come In keeping with the pendulum, Repeating, till the hour should close, Still--'_Here she goes, and there she goes._' He lost the bet in half a minute."