The writings of John Greenleaf Whittier, Volume 3.
John Greenleaf Whittier, Ed.

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[221] For who that leans on His right arm
     Was ever yet forsaken?
What righteous cause can suffer harm
     If He its part has taken
Though wild and loud,
     And dark the cloud,
Behind its folds
     His hand upholds
The calm sky of to-morrow!

Above the maddening cry for blood,
     Above the wild war-drumming,
Let Freedom's voice be heard, with good
     The evil overcoming.
Give prayer and purse
     To stay the Curse
Whose wrong we share,
     Whose shame we bear,
Whose end shall gladden Heaven!

In vain the bells of war shall ring
     Of triumphs and revenges,
While still is spared the evil thing
     That severs and estranges.
But blest the ear
     That yet shall hear
The jubilant bell
     That rings the knell
Of Slavery forever!

Then let the selfish lip be dumb,
     And hushed the breath of sighing;
Before the joy of peace must come
     The pains of purifying.