LIBERTY VERSUS TYRANNY.
By George A. Snyder
LIBERTY! O, ancient hero
Of the world-wide battle-field!
On thy head shines Hope's bright helmet,
In thy hand Faith's ample shield.
On thy brow I see imprinted
Many deep and lasting scars,
Made thru Time's succeeding ages,
In thy foes' unholy wars. Tyranny, thy pale oppressor,
Tho of later birth than thou,
Ever watches thee for evil
With a frown upon his brow.
Strong art thou with constant struggling
'Gainst thy unrelenting foe,
Who with subtlety hath ever
Compassed thee with pain and wo. Thou must keep eternal vigil
To escape the oppressor's ire,
As he hurls at thee his javelins
Forged in Envy's raging fire.
Thou must often be derided,
While a cruel crown of thorns,
Shaped by Tyranny's devising,
Thy pale, bleeding brow adorns. But the day is fast approaching
When thy wounded form shall rise
Over Tyranny triumphant,
And be carried to the skies.
Then shalt thou thru times eternal
From all strife at last be free.
Gladly will we share thy struggles
In this path to victory.
GEO. A. SNYDER.