From another Virginia magazine, also now defunct, The Praiseworthy Muse, of Norfolk, I take the following poem, signed by John J. Fenner, Jr.:
RISE! YOUNG NEGRO—RISE!
Ho! we from slumber wake!
Rise! young Negro—rise!
Begin our daily task anew—
Thank God we’re spared to—
Rise! young Negro—rise!
Thy task may be an humble one.
Rise! young Negro—rise!
However great, however small,
Honesty and respect for all—
Rise! young Negro—rise!
Each has a race to run.
Rise! young Negro—rise!
Enter now while we’re young,
Though weak and just begun.
Rise! young Negro—rise!
Our banner flown will some day read:
Rise! young Negro—rise!
Victory’s ours! We’ve won the race.
Then let us live in God by grace.
Rise! young Negro—rise!
In spirit and in form both these productions seem to be quite noteworthy. The first has in it something darkly and terribly ominous, while the second has all the fervor of religion in its youth.
