The Naturalized Alien

Naturalized Alien (Selected) The land I claim claims me! It holds me sacredly its own, and I For its best welfare will both fight and die If such a sacrifice shall be Part of the great necessity. The land I claim has made My chance for victory, for strong success. In other climes my triumph would be less, For here has freedom truly laid Each open path of honest trade. The land I claim has left My hands unbound, my will at peace. Rich are the blessings, precious the release, From chains whose links were cleft Ere hope my soul bereft* Lurana Sheldon, in New York Times.