16
ON THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY
How, then, can your star-spangled banner still wave
(While such freedom ye boast) o'er the head of a slave,—
O'er the head of a slave—aye, of millions—as free
By nature's true birthright, heaven's mandate, as thee?
(While such freedom ye boast) o'er the head of a slave,—
O'er the head of a slave—aye, of millions—as free
By nature's true birthright, heaven's mandate, as thee?
Born under your flag, on Columbia's soil,
Yet born to dark slavery, fetters, and toil,
O, the sun of the South darts a soul-sickening ray
Which withers the heart's best affections away!
Yet born to dark slavery, fetters, and toil,
O, the sun of the South darts a soul-sickening ray
Which withers the heart's best affections away!
Not so in your keen, bracing air of the North,
Where the first germs of liberty nobly burst forth!
In the soil which it loved the tree flourishes still,
And a soul-healing balm its sweet flowers distil.
Where the first germs of liberty nobly burst forth!
In the soil which it loved the tree flourishes still,
And a soul-healing balm its sweet flowers distil.
When the red cross of Britain unfolds to the breeze,
The manacled captive fair liberty sees;
O England, my country! this glory is thine,—
Round Victoria's sceptre no fetters entwine.
The manacled captive fair liberty sees;
O England, my country! this glory is thine,—
Round Victoria's sceptre no fetters entwine.
