[Illustration: J. R. LOWELL]
Where is the true man’s fatherland?
Is it where he by chance is born?
Doth not the yearning spirit scorn
In such scant borders to be spanned?
O yes! his fatherland must be
As the blue heaven wide and free!
Is it alone where freedom is,
Where God is God, and man is man?
Doth he not claim a broader span
For the soul’s love of home than this?
O yes! his fatherland must be
As the blue heaven wide and free!
Where’er a human heart doth wear
Joy’s myrtle-wreath or sorrow’s gyves,
Where’er a human spirit strives
After a life more true and fair--
There is the true man’s birthplace grand;
His is a world-wide fatherland!
Where’er a single slave doth pine,
Where’er one man may help another--
Thank God for such a birthright, brother--
That spot of earth is thine and mine!
There is the true man’s birthplace grand;
His is a world-wide fatherland!
--JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL.