The Cry for Justice: An Anthology of the Literature of Social Protest / The writings of philosophers, poets, novelists, social reformers, and others who have voiced the struggle against social injustice; selected from twenty-five languages; covering a period of five thousand years

by Unknown

Death-wearied man and tireless brute,

And the struggle wild and blind!

There’s a hot breath at the keyhole

And a tearing as of teeth!

Well do I know the bloodshot eyes

And the dripping jaws beneath!

There’s a whining at the threshold—

There’s a scratching at the floor—

To work! To work! In Heaven’s name!

The wolf is at the door!