John Greenleaf Whittier (1807–1892). The Poetical Works in Four Volumes. 1892.
Anti-Slavery PoemsAfter the War
Garrison
T
The hounding hatred shamed and still,
Go, soul of freedom! take at last
The place which thou alone canst fill.
Life saved for self is lost, while they
Who lose it in His service hold
The lease of God’s eternal day.
Thy words of thunder shook the world;
No selfish griefs or hatred gave
The strength wherewith thy bolts were hurled.
We heard a tender under song;
Thy very wrath from pity grew,
From love of man thy hate of wrong.
The life below is life above;
Thy mortal years have but begun
Thy immortality of love.
We lay thy outworn garment by,
Give death but what belongs to death,
And life the life that cannot die!
Of selfish ease and joys of sense;
But duty, more than crown or palm,
Its own exceeding recompense.
Its morning promise well fulfilled,
Arise to triumphs yet unwon,
To holier tasks that God has willed.
The work below of man for man;
With the white legions of the stars
Do service such as angels can.
Or suffering spirits urge their plea,
Be thine a voice to smite the lie,
A hand to set the captive free!