THE LAND
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.
“They rob, and leave you helplessly
For help of Heaven to cry and call,
Heaven did not make your misery,
The Earth was given for all.
“Behold in bonds your Mother-Earth –
The rich man’s prostitute and slave;
Your Mother-Earth, that gave you birth –
You only own her for a grave.
“And will you die like slaves, and see
That Mother left a bounden thrall?
Nay; rise like men, and set her free
A heritage for all.”
