The Debtor

Bowed beneath the dead'ning weight of Woe,
Crawling 'neath the galling yoke of Owe:
     Obligation's hand
     Beats him with his wand,
And his restless bed his burden knows!

'Neath stern Justice's ever grinding heels,
In Debt's prison now he sadly kneels;
     Fettered with Due's claim,
     Pilloried with shame!
And no tongue can tell pain he feels.

Fortunate is he if now he bear
Not a greater burden than this care;—
    If his soul is free
    From sin's misery
He may work 'til life again is fair.