XII.

Yet still she knew his conscience clear,— That he believed his voice was God's; And listened with a voiceless fear To the portentous periods In which he preached the chosen year

Of expiation and release, And prophesied that Slavery's power, Grown great apace with crime's increase, Before the front of Right should cower, And bid God's people go in peace!

The fierce invectives of his tongue Frayed every day her wounds afresh, And with new pain her bosom wrung, For they envenomed kindred flesh, To which in sympathy she clung.

Yet not a finger did she lift To hold him from his fateful task, Though Satan oft essayed to sift Her soul as wheat, and bade her ask Somewhat from conscience as a gift.

And when a serpent in his slime Crept to her ear with phrase polite, Prating of duty to her time And to her people, swift and white She turned and cursed him for his crime!

She would have naught of all the brood Of temporizing, driveling shows Of men who Philip's words withstood: Against them all her love uprose, And all her pride of womanhood.