xxxiv] LAND NATIONALIZATION 261 



verses on the land question, which, as they are not included 

 in any edition of his poems, I give here. 



Free Land for a Free People. 



" Thank God for the Sunshine, the Air, and the Sea, 

 For the Rain and the Dew, ever free to the free ! 

 No landlords can parcel them out, or conspire 

 To sell them, or tax them, or let them on hire ; 

 And close up with barriers what Nature design'd, 

 In mercy and love for the needs of Mankind ! 



" There's a break in the clouds — there's a gleam in the sky, 

 There's a beautiful star shining brightly on high, 

 That heralds the dawn of the long-promised day, 

 When Right shall be Might, and shall flourish for aye ; 

 When Man in the strength of his manhood shall stand, 

 To enjoy, and possess, and replenish the land. 



" With our faces to heaven and our feet on the sod, 

 We swear by the faith that we cherish in God — 

 By the breeze of the sky, by the light of the sun, 

 That the Land shall be ours, and that Right shall be done. 

 Hear it, ye Tyrants, that hold us in thrall ! 

 God the great Giver gives freely to All ! " 



Charles Mackay. 



Yet another of our true poets, but also one who is 

 comparatively unappreciated, Gerald Massey, is also one 

 of our friends and supporters ; and he, too, has been so kind 

 as to embody his thoughts in the following energetic verses 

 for our benefit : — 



The Earth for All. 



■ Thus saith the Lord — You weary me 



With prayers, and waste your own short years : 

 Eternal truth you cannot see 



Who weep, and shed your sight in tears. 

 In vain you wait and watch the skies, 



No better fortune thus will fall ; 

 Up from your knees I bid you rise, 



And claim the Earth for all. 



■ They eat up Earth, and promise you 



The Heaven of an empty shell. 

 'Tis theirs to say : 'tis yours to do, 

 On pain of everlasting hell. 



