We bade them grind this Nation's grist!
And so, like Samson—blind and bound—
Our Nation's grist this Negro ground;
And all the strength of Freedom's toil,
And all the fruits of Freedom's soil,
And all her hopes and all her trust,
From Slavery's gates were flung, like dust.
With servile souls this mill we fed,
That ground the grain for Slavery's bread;
With cringing men, and grovelling deeds,