CHAMPION of those who groan beneath br Oppression's iron hand: br In view of penury, hate, and death, br I see thee fearless stand. br Still bearing up thy lofty brow, br In the steadfast strength of truth, br In manhood sealing well the vow br And promise of thy youth. br Go on, for thou hast chosen well; br On in the strength of God! br Long as one human heart shall swell br Beneath the tyrant's rod. br Speak in a slumbering nation's ear, br As thou hast ever spoken, br Until the dead in sin shall hear, br The fetter's link be broken! br I love thee with a brother's love, br I feel my pulses thrill, br To mark thy Spirit soar above br The cloud of human ill. br My heart hath leaped to answer thine, br And echo back thy words, br As leaps the warrior's at the shine br And flash of kindred swords! br They tell me thou art rash and vain, br A searcher after fame; br That thou art striving but to gain br A long-enduring name; br That thou hast nerved the Afric's hand br And steeled the Afric's heart, br To shake aloft his vengeful brand, br And rend his chain apart.