Upton Sinclair, ed. (1878–1968). rn The Cry for Justice: An Anthology of the Literature of Social Protest. 1915.

The Statue of Liberty
(New York Harbor, A.D. 2900)

Arthur Upson

(American poet, 1877–1908)

HERE once, the records show, a land whose pride

Abode in Freedom’s watchword! And once here

The port of traffic for a hemisphere,

With great gold-piling cities at her side!

Tradition says, superbly once did bide

Their sculptured goddess on an island near,

With hospitable smile and torch kept clear

For all wild hordes that sought her o’er the tide.

’Twas centuries ago. But this is true:

Late the fond tyrant who misrules our land,

Bidding his serfs dig deep in marshes old,

Trembled, not knowing wherefore, as they drew

From out this swampy bed of ancient mould

A shattered torch held in a mighty hand.