“HIDE THE OUTCASTS.”

Hide the outcasts, and bewray not

Him that wand’reth to be free;

Haste!—deliver and delay not;—

Let my outcasts dwell with thee.^[2]

Shelter thou shalt not refuse him,

Lest, with him, his Lord ye slight;^[3]

When, at noon, the foe pursues him,

Make thy shadow dark as night.

With thee shall he dwell, protected,

Near thee, cherished by thy side;

26Though degraded, scorned, neglected,—

Thrust him not away, in pride.^[4]

As, in truth, ye would that others

Unto you should succour lend,

So, to them, as equal brothers,

Equal love and help extend.^[5]

Thou shalt not the slave deliver

To his master, when he flees:—

Heritage, from God, the Giver,

Yield them freely, where they please.^[6]

As thyself,^[7]—thy babes,—their mother,—

Thou wouldst shield from murd’rous arm,

So the slave, thy equal brother,

And his household, shield from harm.

Hearken, ye that know and fear me,^[8]

Ye who in my law delight;

27Ye that seek me, and revere me,

Hate the wrong and love the right.^[9]

Fear ye not, when men upbraid you,

Worms shall all their strength devour;

My salvation still shall aid you,

Coming ages learn my power.

Why forget the Lord thy Maker?

Why th’ oppressor’s fury dread?

Zion’s King shall ne’er forsake her;—

Where’s th’ oppressor’s fury fled?^[10]

Scorn the mandates of transgressors;^[11]

Fear thy God, and fear none other;

’Gainst thyself conspire oppressors,

When they bid thee bind thy brother.

Lo! the captive exile hasteth

To be loosed from thrall, forever;^[12]

Lo! the power of tyrants wasteth,

Perish soon,—recovered, never!

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