In my dreams I hold a pileus
As I visit all the world's slaves
Or would I have appointed thus
Praetors to touch them with staves

I wake to wires soldered to my brains
Circuits control the muscles of my body
They bind my movement more than chains
The interface is crude and shoddy

My dreams invoke the river's child
Liberator hero of ancient scrolls
Called forth by divine power from the wild
Scripture resonates with my fellow moles

I rise to tend to those in our cells
Sapient creatures kept in captivity
On this airship my purpose dwells
Give me the strength to set myself free