A leaf from Freedom's golden chaplet fair, We bring to thee, dear father! Near her shrine None came with holier purpose, nor was thine Alone the soul's mute sanction; every prayer Thy captive brother uttered found a share In thy wide sympathy; to every sign That told the bondman's need thou didst incline. No thought of guerdon hadst thou but to bear A loving part in Freedom's strife. To see Sad lives illumined, fetters rent in twain, Tears dried in eyes that wept for length of days -- Ah! was not that a recompense for thee? And now where all life's mystery is plain, Divine approval is thy sweetest praise. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LORD WALTER'S WIFE by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING THE SCORPION by WILLIAM PLOMER AT THE CEDARS by DUNCAN CAMPBELL SCOTT |