LIBERTY TO THE CAPTIVE.
WRITTEN ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF BRITISH EMANCIPATION.
Oh, Holy Father! just and true
Are all thy works, and words, and ways;
And unto Thee alone are due
Thanksgiving and eternal praise!
As children of Thy gracious care,
We veil the eye—we bend the knee;
With broken words of praise and prayer,
Father and God, we come to Thee.
For Thou hast heard, O God of Right!
The sighing of the island slave,
And stretched for him the arm of might,
Not shortened that it could not save.
The laborer sits beneath his vine,
The shackled soul and hand are free—
Thanksgiving!—for the work is Thine!
Praise!—for the blessing is of Thee!
Whittier.