Zinzendorff and Other Poems/On the Union of Ladies of Great Britain. with those of America, in plans of Benevolence for Africa

Zinzendorff and Other Poems (1836)
by Lydia Huntley Sigourney
On the Union of Ladies of Great Britain. with those of America, in plans of Benevolence for Africa
4045642Zinzendorff and Other PoemsOn the Union of Ladies of Great Britain. with those of America, in plans of Benevolence for Africa1836Lydia Huntley Sigourney


ON THE UNION OF LADIES OF GREAT BRITAIN, WITH THOSE OF AMERICA, IN PLANS OF BENEVOLENCE FOR AFRICA.


It is not least of all thy praise,
    Fair Isle! so long renown'd in story,
Nor faintest 'mid the gather'd rays
    That form thy coronet of glory,

That clasping thus a daughter's hand,
    Her earnest guidance fondly heeding,
Thou turn'st thee toward that trampled land
    'Neath many a poison'd arrow bleeding.

And wherefore turn'st thou?—To restore
    The ancient boast of Nile's dark billow
Which cradled Science calmly bore
    Like Moses on his reed-twin'd pillow?
To bid stern Cheop's mountain-height
    Aspire, while vassal realms are weeping?
Or rouse again the buried might
    Of Carthage, 'mid her ashes sleeping?

Ah no.—To dry the burning tear,
    To stifle murderous War's commotion,
To bid the slave-ship homeward steer
    Unfreighted, o'er accusing Ocean,
To plant on lone Liberia's height
    Undaunted Freedom's stainless streamer,
And bear to those who grope in night
    Glad tidings of a blest Redeemer.

Go on thy way, thou Queen of Isles!
    Sahara's sands shall bloom before thee,
And Niger, 'mid his sinuous wiles
    Waft clouds of breathing incense o'er thee,
And lo! this young and ardent West
    Rehearsing grateful Afric's story,
Shall grave upon her filial breast,
    Proud record of a Mother's glory.