A Challenge.

What art thou--friend or foe?     Stand! stand!     My heart is true as steel,     Steady still in woe and weal,     Strong to bear, though quick to feel--     Take my hand!     What art thou--friend or foe?     Stand! stand!     Only my own ease seek I,     I am deaf to Pity's cry,     If men hunger, let them die--     Traitor! stand!     What art thou--friend or foe?     Stand! stand!     I've a kiss for maiden fair,     I've a blow for who may dare,     I've a song to banish care--     Take my hand!     What art thou--friend or foe?     Stand! stand!     I'm your servant whilst you're great,     As you sink, my cares abate,     When you're poor you have my hate,--     Traitor! stand!     What art thou--friend or foe?     Stand! stand!     If you trust me, I'll be true,     If you slight me, I'll slight you,     If you wrong me, you shall rue--     Take my hand!     What art thou--friend or foe?     Stand! stand!     I can work with any tools--     Clothe myself by stripping fools--     Bend the knee whoever rules--     Traitor! stand!     What art thou--friend or foe?     Stand! stand!     I've a heart that hates all wrong,     Aids the weak against the strong,     Loves the Truth, and seeks it long--     Take my hand!     What art thou--friend or foe?     Stand! stand!     I forgive no woman's sin,     Hunt her with self-righteous mien,     Never take her, mourning, in     From the desert of her sin--     Traitor! stand!     What art thou--friend or foe!     Stand! stand!     I've a heart that melts at sorrow,     I've a store the poor may borrow     I'm the same to-day, to-morrow--     Take my hand!