Of purest truth and love; and to thy s ght
Appeared the day-star of approaching morn.
What ardent zeal did then thy life adorn,
From deep degrading guilt to lead aright
Thy fallen people; to direct their view
To that bless’d Sun of Righteousness, whence beams
Guidance to all that seek it faithful true;
To call them to the saviour’s living streams.
The cities of the East have heard thy voice:
‘Nations, behold your God! Rejoice, rejoice!’
Far from thy native clime a sea-girt land
Sits thron’d among the nations; in the breasts
Or all her sons immortal freedom rests;
And of her patriots many a holy band
Have sought to rouse the world from the command
Of that debasing Tyrant who detests
The reign of truth and love. At their behests
The slave is free! and Superstition’s hand
Sinks powerless. Hitherward thy steps were bent
To seek free commune with each kindred soul,
Whose highest powers are ever willing lent
To free their race from Folly’s dark control.
To our blest isle thou didst with transport come:
Here thou hast found thy last, thy silent home,
Bright hopes of inmortality were given
To guide thy dubious footsteps, and to cheer
Thine earthly pilgrimage. How firm and clear
Arose thy faith that as the Lord hath risen,