Francis Jackson Garrison, William Lloyd Garrison, 1805-1879; the story of his life told by his children: volume 2

I.

Heaven's long-desired gift! my first-born child!¹
     Pledge of the purest love! my darling son!
Now do I feel a father's bliss begun,—
     A father's hopes and fears,—babe undefiled!
Shouldst thou be spared, I could be reconciled
     Better to martyrdom,—so may be won
Freedom for all, and servile chains undone.
     For if, amid this conflict, fierce and wild,
With the stout foes of God and man, I fall,
     Then shalt thou early fill my vacant post,
And, pouring on the winds a trumpet-call,
     Charge valiantly oppression's mighty host;
So captive millions thou shalt disenthral,
     And, through the mighty God, of victory boast.

II.

Remember, when thou com'st to riper years,
     That unto God, from earliest infancy,
Thy grateful father dedicated thee,
     And sought His guidance through this vale of tears.
Fear God—then disregard all other fears;
     Be, in His Truth, erect, majestic, free;
Abhor oppression—cling to Liberty—
     Nor recreant prove, though horrid Death appears.
I charge thee, in the name of him who died
     On Calvary's cross,—an ignominious fate,—
If thou wouldst reign with the great crucified,
     Thy reputation and thy life to hate:
Thus shalt thou save them both, nor be denied
     A glittering crown and throne of heavenly state!

III.

Flesh of my flesh! now that I see thy form,
     And catch the starry brilliance of thine eyes,
And hear, sweet music! thy infantile cries,
     And feel in thee the life-blood beating warm,
Strange thoughts within me generate and swarm;