John Greenleaf Whittier

“ To God all praises be,
Who from the hands of evil men hath set his handmaid free.
All praise to God before whose power the mighty are afraid,
Who takes the crafty in the snare which for the poor is laid! ”

“ Then to the stout sea-captains, the sheriff, turning, said,
"Which of ye, worthy seamen, will take this Quaker maid?
In the isle of fair Barbados, or on Virginia's shore,
You may sell her at a higher price than Indian girl or Moor."
Grim and silent stood the captains; and when again he cried,
"Speak out, my worthy seamen!"--no voice, no sign replied;
But I felt a hard hand press my own, and kind words met my ear,--
"God bless thee, and preserve thee, my gentle girl and dear!" ”

“ Shall we see the poor and righteous again for silver sold?"
I looked on Governor Endicott, with weapon half-way drawn,
Swept round the throng his lion glare of bitter hate and scorn;
Fiercely he drew his bridle rein, and turned in silence back,
And sneering priest and baffled clerk rode murmuring in his track.
Hard after them the sheriff looked, in bitterness of soul;
Thrice smote his staff upon the ground, and crushed his parchment roll.
"Good friends," he said, "since both have fled, the ruler and the priest,
Judge ye, if from their further work I be not well released." ”