<h2><SPAN name="page35"></SPAN><span class="pagenum"></span>PROTEST</h2>
<p class="poetry"><span class="smcap">To</span> sit in silence
when we should protest<br/>
Makes cowards out of men. The human race<br/>
Has climbed on protest. Had no voice been raised<br/>
Against injustice, ignorance and lust<br/>
The Inquisition yet would serve the law<br/>
And guillotines decide our least disputes.<br/>
The few who dare must speak and speak again<br/>
To right the wrongs of many. Speech, thank God,<br/>
No vested power in this great day and land<br/>
Can gag or throttle; Press and voice may cry<br/>
Loud disapproval of existing ills,<br/>
May criticise oppression and condemn<br/>
The lawlessness of wealth-protecting laws<br/>
That let the children and child-bearers toil<br/>
To purchase ease for idle millionaires.<br/>
<SPAN name="page36"></SPAN><span class="pagenum"></span>Therefore
do I protest against the boast<br/>
Of independence in this mighty land.<br/>
Call no chain strong which holds one rusted link,<br/>
Call no land free that holds one fettered slave.<br/>
Until the manacled, slim wrists of babes<br/>
Are loosed to toss in childish sport and glee;<br/>
Until the Mother bears no burden save<br/>
The precious one beneath her heart; until<br/>
God’s soil is rescued from the clutch of greed<br/>
And given back to labour, let no man<br/>
Call this the Land of Freedom.</p>
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