Lines to Charles Sumner + 

Thank God that thou hast spoken + 

Words earnest, true and brave, + 

The lightning of thy lips did smite + 

The fetters of the slave. + 

I thought the shadows deepened, + 

Round the pathway of the slave, + 

As one by one his faithful friends + 

Were dropping in the grave. + 

When other hands grew feeble, + 

And loosed their hold on life, + 

Thy words rang like a clarion + 

For freedom’s noble strife. + 

Thy words were not soft echoes, + 

Thy tones no siren song; + 

They fell as battle-axes + 

Upon our giant wrong. + 

God grant thy words of power + 

May fall as precious seeds, + 

That yet shall leaf and blossom + 

In high and holy deeds. + 