GIDDINGS, far rougher names than thine have grown Smoother than honey on the lips of men; And thou shalt aye be honorably known, As one who bravely used his tongue and pen, As best befits a freeman, -- even for those To whom our Law's unblushing front denies A right to plead against the lifelong woes Which are the Negro's glimpse of Freedom's skies: Fear nothing, and hope all things, as the Right Alone may do securely; every hour The thrones of Ignorance and ancient Night Lose somewhat of their long-usurped power, And Freedom's lightest word can make them shiver With a base dread that clings to them forever. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...KU KLUX by MADISON JULIUS CAWEIN FOOLIN' WID DE SEASONS by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR THE HIPPOPOTAMUS by THOMAS STEARNS ELIOT THE HUDSON by GEORGE SIDNEY HELLMAN TO HIS CONSCIENCE by ROBERT HERRICK HYMN OF TRUST by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES |