Freedom

Published in

Alexander Crummell's biography of Thomas Clarkson

O Freedom! Freedom! O! how oft Thy loving children call on Thee! In wailings loud, and breathings soft, Beseeching God, Thy face to see. With agonizing hearts we kneel, While 'round us howls the oppressor's cry,— And suppliant pray, that we may feel The ennob'ling glances of Thine eye. We think of Thee as once we saw Thee, jewel'd by Thy Father's hand, Afar beside dark Egypt's shore, Exulting with Thy ransom'd band. We hear, as then, the thrilling song, That hail'd Thy passage through the sea,— While distant echoes still prolong The cymbal'd anthem, sung to Thee. And wafted yet, upon the gales Borne pure and fresh from sunny skies, Come startling words! that 'long the vales Where Pelion and Ossa rise, Were shouted by Thine own clear voice! And Grecian hearts leap'd at the call: E'en as now Patriot souls rejoice, To see invading tyrants fall. We view Thy stately form, loom o'er The topmost of the seven hills! Around Thee glittering eagles soar— The symbol'd rise of freeborn wills. Down in the plains, we still behold The circled forums built to Thee;— Hear Tully's strains, and Brutus bold, Call on his country to be free. When from those groves of citron bloom, And classic Helle's vine clad shore,— Through countries hung in castled gloom, Attending winds Thy chariot bore,— We followed Thee o'er all the fields Of Europe, crimson-dyed with blood; Where broken spears, and buried shields, Now mark the spots where Thou hast stood. At Morgarten, through drifting snows, That seem'd to guard the Switzer's home!— And where the walls of Sempach rose, We saw the mail-clad Austrians come. Three times we saw Thee bear the shock Of stalwart knight, and plunging steed;— And crush their front, as does the rock The waves, that 'gainst its bosom speed. Yet, vainly striving, Thou, to part That brist'ling sea of pikes had'st tried, Till Underwalden's patriot heart Bore down the foe, and glorious died. Yes! Victory, as Arnold fell, Her white plume waved from every peak,— And ringing loud, the voice of Tell Still greater triumphs bade Thee seek. With trophies from Thy conflicts deck'd, (Allied by God to injured men,) We saw Thy struggle at Utrecht, At Zealand, Brabant, and Lutzen. Where e'er the sunbeams flash'd, Thy shield Lit up oppression's funeral pile; And though o'erwhelm'd on Calsgrave field, And banished from Thy Shamrock isle; Yet cheering on Thy gallant Poles, From Slavon bondage to be free, We see Thy hurried pace, as rolls The alarm of danger o'er the sea. Above the heaving mountain crest, As to the isles of thought and song Thou bad'st adieu,—from out the west, Were heard, deep mutterings of wrong. On many a frozen battle ground, Opposing swords were gleaming bright; While 'long the skies, the thundering sound Of cannon, 'woke the silent night. Exulting in their mission high, Columbia's sons had pledged Thy cause— Thy first endeavor,—“to untie The cords of caste and slavish laws.” Long years roll'd by, and still went on The strife of man, 'gainst regal power: Till, bravely, in Thy strength, was won, Thy since, polluted, blood-stained dower. We mourn for this! yet joyfully O Freedom! we loud praises give, That on Thine altar in the sea, For us Thy hallowed fires live. O! grant! unto our parent home, Thy constant presence and Thy shield! That when again rude hirelings come, Though starr'd from every battle field, The spirit of the patriot true, Toussaint, the “man of men,” may ring The shrill war cry the welkin through, And mount to plain the echo sing. But not 'mid trick'ling blood and smoke, The wailings of the dying foe, The bayonet thrust—the sabre stroke,— Canst Thou alone great victories show. Along Thy pathway, glory shines: And grateful wreaths before Thee fall:— More worth than all Golconda's mines, Or power, that twines in Coronal. Thine is the mission, to subdue The soul, encased in triple steel; And so the world with love imbue, That tyrants shall before Thee kneel. When from the slave's crush'd, aching heart, The cry went up to Sabaoth's God,— And man, with his immortal part, Was pressed e'en down unto the sod, We saw Thee wield convictions strength, And heard Thy blows fall thick and fast; While loud and clear through all the length Of Britain, blew Thy trumpet blast. Thou wast the answer! Clarkson! thou The mighty soul that led the strife! Taking a consecrated vow, To conquer or to yield thy life. Well hast thou fought, great pioneer! The snows of age upon thy head, Were Freedom's wreaths; by far, more dear, Than finest sculpture o'er the dead. We leave thee to thy long repose! Offering the blessings of the slave: Assured that at the world's dread close, Thou'lt rise enfranchised from the grave. What more can we O! Freedom! speak In praise of Thee? our hearts grow faint! Where else shall we Thy triumphs seek? What fairer pictures can we paint? We stand upon the shaking ground Of tyranny! we call it home: The earth is strewn with Christians bound,— We've cried to Thee—Thou dost not come. We know Thou hast Thy chosen few,— The men of heart, who live by right,— Who steadily their way pursue, Though round them pall the shades of night. We hold them dear: defamed, beset, They fight the civil war of man: The fiercest struggle, that has yet Been waged against oppressions ban. We give them thanks: the bondman's prayer As holy incense soars on high, That nought to Thee their love impair, 'Till shall be gained the victory. But, O! Great Spirit! see'st Thou Thy spotless ermine men defile? God's civil rulers cringing bow To hate, and fraud, and customs vile! The CHURCH, to her great charge untrue, Keeps pious guard, o'er slavery's den! While guilty laymen, wrong pursue, Her recreant priesthood, say—amen. O! purify each holy court! The ministry of law and light! That man, no longer, may be bought To trample down his brother's right. We lift imploring hands to Thee! We cry for those in prison bound! O! in Thy strength, come! Liberty! And 'stablish right the wide world round. We pray to see Thee, face to face: To feel our souls grow strong and wide: So ever shall our injured race, By Thy firm principles abide.