The Souls of Black Folk

Hear my cry, O God the Reader; vouchsafe that this my book fall not still-born into the world wilderness.  Let there spring, Gentle One, from out its leaves vigor of thought and thoughtful deed to reap the harvest wonderful.  Let the ears of a guilty people tingle with truth, and seventy millions sigh for the righteousness which exalteth nations, in this drear day when human brotherhood is mockery and a snare.  Thus in Thy good time may infinite reason turn the tangle straight, and these crooked marks on a fragile leaf be not indeed

The end