The blood of generous hearts
Has freely drenched thy soil;
That blood but strength imparts,
Which tyrants cannot foil!
Within thy fair retreat,
'Mid victory and flame,
Thy sons shall yet repeat
Huzzas in Freedom's name!
Yet, where his ashes rest,
Whose eye revealed a world,
From towers and mountain crest,
Our flag shall be unfurled!
In truth, it is but just,
That Freedom's hand should hold,
Confided to her trust,
The key to lands of gold!
Harvey Rice.
But with a cynical disregard of good faith, Spain kept only such of her promises as she pleased; increased abuses followed, and in 1895 revolution flamed out again. Under such leaders as Gomez, Maceo, and Garcia, the revolutionists soon gained control of most of the provinces.
CUBA TO COLUMBIA
[April, 1896]
A voice went over the waters—
A stormy edge of the sea—
Fairest of Freedom's daughters,
Have you no help for me?
Do you not hear the rusty chain
Clanking about my feet?
Have you not seen my children slain,
Whether in cell or street?
Oh, if you were sad as I,
And I as you were strong,
You would not have to call or cry—
You would not suffer long!
"Patience?"—have I not learned it,
Under the crushing years?
Freedom—have I not earned it,
Toiling with blood and tears?
"Not of you?"—my banners wave
Not on Egyptian shore,
Or by Armenia's mammoth grave—
But at your very door!
Oh, if you were needy as I,
And I as you were strong,
You should not suffer, bleed, and die,
Under the hoofs of wrong!