Read Books Online, for Free |
The Souls of Black Folk | W. E. B. DuBois | |
Of the Wings of Atalanta |
Page 2 of 6 |
Atalanta is not the first or the last maiden whom greed of gold has led to defile the temple of Love; and not maids alone, but men in the race of life, sink from the high and generous ideals of youth to the gambler's code of the Bourse; and in all our Nation's striving is not the Gospel of Work befouled by the Gospel of Pay? So common is this that one-half think it normal; so unquestioned, that we almost fear to question if the end of racing is not gold, if the aim of man is not rightly to be rich. And if this is the fault of America, how dire a danger lies before a new land and a new city, lest Atlanta, stooping for mere gold, shall find that gold accursed! It was no maiden's idle whim that started this hard racing; a fearful wilderness lay about the feet of that city after the War,--feudalism, poverty, the rise of the Third Estate, serfdom, the re-birth of Law and Order, and above and between all, the Veil of Race. How heavy a journey for weary feet! what wings must Atalanta have to flit over all this hollow and hill, through sour wood and sullen water, and by the red waste of sun-baked clay! How fleet must Atalanta be if she will not be tempted by gold to profane the Sanctuary! |
Who's On Your Reading List? Read Classic Books Online for Free at Page by Page Books.TM |
The Souls of Black Folk W. E. B. DuBois |
Home | More Books | About Us | Copyright 2004