YE WORKERS WITH MUSCLE AND BRAIN.

New Zealand Tablet, Issue 31, 3 December 1897, Page 5

YE WORKERS WITH MUSCLE AND BRAIN.

Ye workers with muscle and brain, Ye builders of nations— yea, ye Who glean and who garner the grain For others, oh, when will you see The might that is yours to command ? The strength that is yours to despoil The robber whose ravishing hand Hag stolen the fruit of your toil 1 Ye workers with muscle and brain, The millions your labours create, Aye leave you in want and in pain And fly to the greedy and great. What matters the wolf at your door, The absence of corn and of wine, My lord needs a bountiful store, And Mammon must sumptuously dine. Ye workers with muscle and brain, Ye masses so sorely in need, Who weep for your millions of slain By poverty, hunger and greed ; Why stand ye submissive and tame The prey of the tyrant and knave, Whose honour is won by your shame, Whose glory, alas, is your grave 1 Ye workers with muscle and brain, Your burden of sighs and of tears, Your masters imploreth in vain To brighten your lot through the years. In vain your incessant appeal, \our prayer and petition for bread ; No toucft of compassion they feel, No caie for you living or dead. Ye workers with muscle and brain, God's justice did never decree The scourge and the lash and the chain For ever your portion should be. He gave you the thought to aspire, He gave you the might to ascend. He gave you the noble desire, To btimulate, prompt and befriend. Ye workers with muscle and brain, Of nations the sinew and bone, If yours be the blight and the bane The fault is entirely your own. You're blind to the power you command, The strength that is yours to despoil The robber whose ravishing hand Still gathers the fruit of your toil. South Dunedin.

P. E Nolan.