Page:Poems written during the progress of the abolition question in the United States.djvu/26

 My heart hath leaped to answer thine, And echo back thy words, As leaps the warrior's at the shine And flash of kindred swords! They tell me thou art rash and vain— A searcher after fame— That thou art striving but to gain A long enduring name— That thou hast nerved the Afric's hand, And steeled the Afric's heart, To shake aloft his vengeful brand, And rend his chain apart. Have I not known thee well, and read Thy mighty purpose long! And watched the trials which have made Thy human spirit strong? And shall the slanderer's demon breath Avail with one like me, To dim the sunshine of my faith, And earnest truth in thee? Go on—the dagger's point may glare Amid thy pathway's gloom— The fate which sternly threatens there, Is glorious martyrdom! Then onward with a martyr's zeal— Press on to thy reward— The hour when man shall only kneel, Before his Father—God.