HUDSON BAY A NATIONAL ASSET 



Open the Bay! Who are they that say "No"? 



Who locks the portals? Nature? She resigned 

 Her icy reign, her stubborn frost and snow. 

 Her sovereign sway and sceptre, long ago, 



To sturdy manhood and the master. Mind; 



Not these the foe! Not Nature, who is fain 



When earnest hearts an earnest end pursue; 

 But man's old selfishness and greed of gain: 

 These ancient breeders of earth's sin and pain — 

 These are the thieves who steal the Nation's due! 



Such are the heirs of traders Gillam led — 



Such were they in the past, with souls obtuse 

 When duty called — who, recreant, and dead 

 To England's honor, hung the craven head. 

 And struck the British flag to La Perouse. 



And such are they who, in their Eastern place. 



Say, " It is folly and the purpose vain!" 

 The carrier and the shallow huckster's race — 

 Theirs are the hands, not Nature's which efface. 

 And seal the public good for private gain. 



Open the Bay! Let Earth's poor people in! 



What though the selfish interests lie and flout — 

 Open the Inlet! Let them growl and grin. 

 And Power still hobnob with them in their sin — 



Humanity, their master, is about! 



It looks abroad, and with purged vision sees 

 Man's wily nature bared, not overcast; 



It comes to scatter to the winds his pleas. 



His privilege and bland accessories. 

 And with strong arm right the wronged land at last. 



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