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SLAVERY.
Thy followers only have effac'd the ſhame
Inſcrib'd by Slavery on the Chriſtian name. 250
Shall Britain, where the ſoul of Freedom reigns,
Forge chains for others ſhe herſelf diſdains?
Forbid it, Heaven! O let the nations know
The liberty ſhe loves ſhe will beſtow;
Not to herſelf the glorious gift confin'd, 255
She ſpreads the bleſſing wide as humankind;
And, ſcorning narrow views of time and place,
Bids all be free in earth's extended ſpace.
What page of human annals can record
A deed ſo bright as human rights reſtor'd? 260
O may that god-like deed, that ſhining page,
Redeem our fame, and conſecrate our age!
And ſee, the cherub Mercy from above,
Deſcending ſoftly, quits the ſphere of love!
On
