Harriet Beecher Stowe

She told the story, and the whole world wept At wrongs and cruelties it had not known But for this fearless woman’s voice alone. She spoke to consciences that long had slept: Her message. Freedom’s clear reveille, swept From heedless hovel to complacent throne. Command and prophecy were in the tone, And from its sheath the sword of justice leapt. Around two peoples swelled a fiery wave, But both came forth transfigured from the flame. Blest be the hand that dared be strong to save, And blest be she who in our weakness came— Prophet and priestess! At one stroke she gave A race to freedom and herself to fame.

Collection: 
1892
Sub Title: 
Descriptive Poems: I. Personal: Great Writers

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  • She told the story, and the whole world wept At wrongs and cruelties it had not known But for this fearless woman’s voice alone. She spoke to consciences that long had slept: Her message. Freedom’s clear reveille, swept From heedless hovel to complacent throne. Command and prophecy were in the...

  • “good-bye,” I said to my Conscience— “Good-bye for aye and aye;” And I put her hands off harshly, And turned my face away: And Conscience, smitten sorely, Returned not from that day. But a time came when my spirit Grew weary of its pace: And I cried, “Come back, my Conscience, I long...

  • I ’s boun’ to see my gal to-night— Oh, lone de way, my dearie! De moon ain’t out, de stars ain’t bright— Oh, lone de way, my dearie! Dis hoss o’ mine is pow’ful slow, But when I does git to yo’ do’ Yo’ kiss ’ll pay me back, an’ mo’, Dough lone de way, my dearie. De night is skeery-lak an’...

  • Lay me down beneaf de willers in de grass, Whah de branch ’ll go a-singin’ as it pass. An’ w’en I ’s a-layin’ low, I kin hyeah it as it go Singin’, “Sleep, my honey, tek yo’ res’ at las’.” Lay me nigh to whah hit meks a little pool, An’ de watah stan’s so quiet lak an’ cool, Whah de little...

  • O Li’l’ lamb out in de col’, De Mastah call you to de fol’, O li’l’ lamb! He hyeah you bleatin’ on de hill; Come hyeah an’ keep yo’ mou’nin’ still, O li’l’ lamb! De Mastah sen’ de Shepud fo’f; He wandah souf, he wandah no’f, O li’l’ lamb! He wandah eas’, he wandah wes’; De...