Wind in the west; no symptoms of a thaw; The coldest, bleakest day I ever saw. And I'm housed up, with nothing much to do Except to read the papers through and through.
“Died of starvation!” — what does this all mean? Stores of provisions everywhere are seen. “Died of starvation!” — here's the place and name Right in the paper; let us blush for shame!
This city wastes what any one would call Nine hundred times enough to feed us all; And yet folks die in garret, hut, and street, Simply because there is n't enough to eat!
Oh, heavens! there runs a great big Norway rat, Sleek as a banker, and almost as fat; He daily breakfasts, dines, and sups, and thrives On what would save a pair of human lives;
He rears a family with his own fat features, On food we lock up from our fellow-creatures; And human beings fall down by the way, And die for want of food, this very day!
“Frozen to death!” — the worse than useless moth May feed, this year, on bales and bales of cloth; Untouched, ten million tons of coal can lie, While God's own human beings freeze and die!
“Died of starvation!” — waves of golden wheat All summer dashed and glistened at our feet; Dull, senseless grain is stored in buildings high, And God's own human beings starve and die!
I would not rob from rich men what they earn, But I would have them sweet compassion learn; Oh, do not Pity's gentle voice defy, While God's own human beings starve and die!
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