The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-02-05
Written for th4 ADvOcATE
THE TOILERS' LOT.
BY WHIFEBEARD.

! wHITEBEAD.
! Was man bat created to toll and to diet
And woman bat formed for bis hslp-mAse In paiO
] o, tell me, ye learned Re Sages reply,
/ To thls sober question the answer ID nigh,
The problem Is Eimple-And mAxiUS are plain.
/ All Why 20 created to labor In vAin
/ In vain we're AdnOniShed our bliss is Oot ere,
That TO IIie-etsrnAl our works must all tend
That life and iu giver We all must revere.
But yet approach with sadness and lear
Not knowing that 10 Il SOrrOwS will end,
For thitSsrward surely nfe's harvest We rend
And tell me- 70 toIlsrs who cover the earth,
with rich golden sheaves and the fruits Of the vine
IAIl given to At the day Of his BIRTH,
While others feastinE and reviIing In mirth.
Do ye taste the harvest. and alp the pure wine,
Or do ye In want in your cabins repine
Ye miners who delve In the earths deepest cave
Are ye fed on ints' And warmed BY your coasf
Ys silOrs- Tod bless you who plough the blue
g,rner earths rches-its tres. ure 20 save
What lS your reward but prayer for your souls,
When your ship lS wrec cd the rocks the shoals
IA men u the anvH-wbAt comforts have yer
Who give to all nations their wealth and their fan e.
BY your sweA,y TOil, all republics are free;
T. 81 BehtC TO- ucmcut ~ uuFBeu Oh your kneo-
Yet what do they give you TO cancel your eIaim,
But diugy abodes 10 rep se in your shame
Ye builders and carvers who in the proud halls
Where belles-letters flourish and science tsught
Are ye TOO admitted within their high walls
To win noble hoDors the grace of the stalls
With sons Of the wealthy, to cultivate thought
Or are ye sent forward to labor for naught'
Ye tAilOrs, cOrdwsinsrs q, what Of your lot
who such cunning work upon others bsstow.
O., what Of your WGrdrobesr What shoes you got
Are they nne and costly or il your mean scot
mantle Of sorrow that scarce hides your zoe
While you are condemned as the rich ba ker's foe
Ye men of the mitre-ths ermne and lawn
Are we. the poor tOers, your brethren indeed
Or looking ASkAnce, do yOu bid Us begOne
Unht for your nOtiee-scsrce With duh yawn-
Lest dostish loaks should proclaim what we nee
While blindy aad vaiuIy We murmur and ple,d.
Then come toillng b. others aud sisters OF toll
Though cOarae b. mantle and hard be our crust,
The earth ls fore uS. God Save tae SOL
Its fruits, and its vintage, and corn for ,Poil,
II truely Worabip aud honor our trust,
Treat ali bro hers and Iearn to be Just
The sou Of the Highest, che greatest e'er born.
Once tOied with the compass, the hammer and fs 7e,
he, too, was brother, and felt the proud icorn
OF worldly profess RS, while plusked the corn.
Who followed his footsteps through fields rich grain
Yet neekly theT tOied mid their hAushty disis,n.
Then ike our good master. lets do and endu =,
And jim hand In hand che fair earth 90 rei-em,
The blind u snHEhtsO, 70 SuoCOr She p1or;
And thus through our duties Our rights s,eurr
So shall the fair earth give it, oil, wine Aud crea
TO all honest workers. while Idle men dream
Once more. gentle Sages, We AK yOu in P.a,
Why created TO tOll and 10 die
God gATe uS the earth ample dsmAin,
Yet robbers still PIundsr its fr1ils aud its grain
"GOd's sOdys all e9uaI this HE 10 . lie
Where toll Ia disgraeed and lie prayer but a sigh.