[1853] AS 1 when, on Carmel’s sterile steep, The ancient prophet bowed the knee, And seven times sent his servant forth To look toward the distant sea; There came at last a little cloud, Scarce larger than the human hand, Spreading and swelling till it broke In showers on all the herbless land; And hearts were glad, and shouts went up, And praise to Israel’s mighty God, As the sear hills grew bright with flowers, And verdure clothed the valley sod,— Even so our eyes have waited long; But now a little cloud appears, Spreading and swelling as it glides Onward into the coming years. Bright cloud of Liberty! full soon, Far stretching from the ocean strand, Thy glorious folds shall spread abroad, Encircling our beloved land. Like the sweet rain on Judah’s hills, The glorious boon of love shall fall, And our bond millions shall arise, As at an angel’s trumpet-call. Then shall a shout of joy go up,— The wild, glad cry of freedom come From hearts long crushed by cruel hands, And songs from lips long sealed and dumb; And every bondman’s chain be broke, And every soul that moves abroad In this wide realm shall know and feel The blessèd Liberty of God. Note 1. Arousing of Anti-Slavery agitation, when it was proposed in Congress to abolish the “Missouri Compromise” and throw open the Territories to slavery if their people should so vote. [back]
The Little Cloud
More from Poet
|
[1853] AS 1 when, on Carmel’s sterile steep, The ancient prophet bowed the knee, And seven times sent his servant forth To look toward the distant sea; There came at last a little cloud, Scarce larger than the human hand, Spreading and swelling till it broke In showers on all the... |
Fresh from the fountains of the wood A rivulet of the valley came, And glided on for many a rood, Flushed with the morning’s ruddy flame. The air was fresh and soft and sweet; The slopes in spring’s new verdure lay, And wet with dew-drops at my feet Bloomed the young violets of May. No... |
The Day had been a calm and sunny day, And tinged with amber was the sky at even; The fleecy clouds at length had rolled away, And lay in furrows on the eastern heaven;— The moon arose and shed a glimmering ray, And round her orb a misty circle lay. The hoar-frost glittered on the naked... |