414 TIIK PHANTOM LAND. 



tc Land of unfettered mind untrammelled thought 



Most nobly hast thou snapped thy swaddling-bands ! 



Before me in prophetic vision brought 



I see thy future glory. Nature's hands 



Formed thee for greatness when thy shape she wrought. 



Nor has she of her wealth refused thee aught. 



Great shalt thou be ! the mightiest of lands ! 



" Great sbalt thou be ! But to that end maintain 

 The just and true equality of law ; 

 Bow not the knee to pride, or pomp, or gain, 

 Touch not the accursed sword of civil war ; 

 Shun priestcraft which is true religion's bane; 

 Be just, love peace, break off the negro's chain, 

 And prize the freedom thou hast battled for. 



" My own poor country shall drag on the while 

 Her weary length with many a cruel smart, 

 The prey of tyrant lords and miscreants vile, 

 Like vultures feeding on the living heart ; 

 Her anguish they shall witness with a smile, 

 And mock her prayers with long-deception guile, 

 And force her sons o'er ocean to depart." 



I turned aside and wiped away a tear, 

 Whereat my guide addressed me thus, " My son, 

 Wherefore should power to mortal man be dear, 

 Duty is linked to power who grasps the one, 

 Must bide the other also. Man can ne'er 

 Divide the two and have a conscience clear, 

 Man may do much ; but this may not be done. 



" My son ! this grey-haired monarch missed it here ; 



He wore a crown but wherefore, he forgot ; 



And all have parts to act, not one is clear, 



For obligation is the common lot." 



I answered, " Happy they in lowly sphere, 



Who do their duty with a heart sincere, , 



Though undistinguished and regarded not." 



