“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.[B] Shelter thou shalt not refuse him, Lest, with him, his Lord ye slight;[C] 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; Though degraded, scorned, neglected,— Thrust him not away, in pride.[D] As, in truth, ye would that others Unto you should succor lend, So, to them, as equal brothers, Equal love and help extend.[E] Thou shalt not the slave deliver To his master, when he flees:— Heritage, from God, the Giver, Yield them freely, where they please.[F] As thyself,[G]—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,[H] Ye who in my law delight; Ye that seek me, and revere me, Hate the wrong, and love the right.[I] 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?[J] Scorn the mandates of transgressors;[K] 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;[L] Lo! the power of tyrants wasteth, Perished soon,—recovered, never!