Poems on Miscellaneous Subjects (Harper, 1857)/Bible defence of slavery
BIBLE DEFENCE OF SLAVERY.
Take sackecloth of the darkest dye, And shroud the pulpits round!Servants of Him that cannot lie, Sit mourning on the ground.
Let holy horror blanch each cheek, Pale every brow with fears:And rocks and stones, if ye could speak, Ye well might melt to tears!
Let sorrow breathe in every tone, In every strain ye raiseInsult not God's majestic throne With th' mockery of praise.
A "reverend" man, whose light should be The guide of age and youth,Brings to the shrine of Slavery The sacrifice of truth!
For the direst wrong by man imposed, Since Sodom's fearful cry,The word of life has been unclosed, To give your God the lie.
Oh! when ye pray for heathen lands, And plead for their dark shores,Remember Slavery's cruel hands Make heathens at your doors!