I FRIEND of the Slave, and yet the friend of all; Lover of peace, yet ever foremost when The need of battling Freedom called for men To plant the banner on the outer wall; Gentle and kindly, ever at distress Melted to more than woman's tenderness, Yet firm and steadfast, at his duty's post Fronting the violence of a maddened host, Like some gray rock from which the waves are tossed! Knowing his deeds of love, men questioned not The faith of one whose walk and word were right; Who tranquilly in Life's great taskfield wrought, And, side by side with evil, scarcely caught A stain upon his pilgrim garb of white: Prompt to redress another's wrong, his own Leaving to Time and Truth and Penitence alone. II Such was our friend. Formed on the good old plan, A true and brave and downright honest man! He blew no trumpet in the marketplace, Nor in the church with hypocritic face Supplied with cant the lack of Christian grace; Loathing pretence, he did with cheerful will What others talked of while their hands were still; And, while "Lord, Lord!" the pious tyrants cried, Who, in the poor, their Master crucified, His daily prayer, far better understood In acts than words, was simply doing good. So calm, so constant was his rectitude, That by his loss alone we know its worth, And feel how true a man has walked with us on earth. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A PRAYER by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR THE VISION (1) by ROBERT HERRICK JOHN CHARLES FREMONT by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER MINSTREL OF THE SUN by FREDERICK HENRY HERBERT ADLER THE SHRIMP, SELS by MOSES BROWNE THE COMING HUNS by VALERY YAKOVLEVICH BRYUSOV HOME, SWEET HOME WITH VARIATIONS: 1. ORIGINAL THEME AS PAYNE WROTE IT by HENRY CUYLER BUNNER |